Israeli killed in shooting attack near Egypt border

By Anees Barghouthi

JERUSALEM

An Israeli citizen was shot and killed Tuesday near Israel’s southern border with Egypt, according to the Israeli army.

In a statement, an Israeli army spokesperson said an Israeli civilian contractor for the Defense Ministry -- whose name was not given -- had been shot by an unidentified assailant while working near the border.

"He was taken to the Soroka Medical Center in [the Israeli city of] Beersheba, where he later succumbed to his injury," the spokesman said.

According to the army, the bullet was fired from the Egyptian side of the border.

"It remains unclear, however, as to who was responsible for firing the shot," the spokesperson said.