Rafah crossing : Shooting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants led to killing of border guard

Al-Qahera News, which has links to Egyptian intelligence, reported that an initial probe in the shooting death of an Egyptian border guard indicated that an exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants “led to shooting in several directions” in the area of Rafah border crossing, according to AFP. Egyptian security personnel were taking protective measures at the time. Israeli forces have been active in the southern Gaza city of Rafah since May 7 when they launched their offensive. 

Since the start of Israel-Hamas conflict Egypt has walked a narrow line between wanting to show solidarity with the Palestinians while maintaining its official relationship with Israel. The Egyptian government is sensitive to the potential domestic repercussions of the war and tensions have escalated since Israeli forces took control of the Rafah border crossing, a crucial conduit for humanitarian aid into Gaza.