Egyptian Officer Who Killed IDF Troops Named; Body Returned

Egyptian authorities on Monday morning released personal details about the border police officer who killed three Israeli soldiers on Shabbos, identifying him as 22-year-old Mohamed Salah. Israel later returned the terrorist’s body to Egypt, according to a Channel 12 report.

According to the latest reports from the ongoing investigation, Salah acted alone. He carried a Koran, a knife, and six magazines for his firearm, which first raised suspicions as to a terrorism motive.

The Egyptians had initially claimed that their border police officer was chasing a drug smuggler, but as more details emerged, they backtracked on the claim. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday demanded a full joint investigation with Cairo.

“Israel relayed a clear message to the Egyptian government. We expect that the joint investigation will be exhaustive and thorough,” said Netanyahu.

Before the official release of details by the Egyptian authorities, Arab social media was circulating photos of the terrorist, in what seemed to venerate Salah for killing three Israeli soldiers, and at the same time claiming that the photo was released by Israeli media.