Sinai Foundation for Human Rights reported that an 18-year-old Egyptian youth, Jihad Youssef Abu Aqleh, was martyred last Saturday in northeast Sinai following an airstrike, likely conducted by an Israeli F-16I Sufa fighter jet. This incident has been met with complete silence from Egyptian authorities.
Details of the Incident
The organization stated that it obtained video footage and conducted interviews with four eyewitnesses, all pointing to the Israeli fighter jet launching the airstrike inside Egyptian territory. The attack occurred in the Al-Ajraa region, south of Rafah, about three kilometers from the Egyptian-Israeli border.
Eyewitnesses recounted seeing the fighter jet tracking a drone, allegedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi forces. The missile intended for the drone instead struck Abu Aqleh’s car, turning his body into fragments. Despite the gravity of the incident, Egyptian authorities buried the victim without conducting an investigation or issuing an official death certificate, keeping the tragedy shrouded in secrecy.
Eyewitness Accounts and Expert Testimony
Footage and accounts indicate that two drones were seen flying over Al-Barth and Al-Ajraa, south of Rafah, around 2:00 PM on Saturday. Shortly afterward, a fighter jet appeared. Witnesses described the fighter jet and drones flying at low altitude. While the aircraft successfully downed one drone near Al-Barth, the missile targeting the second drone missed its mark, tragically striking Abu Aqleh’s car.
A military aviation expert interviewed by the organization confirmed that the aircraft responsible for the strike was part of the Israeli Air Force, not the Egyptian military. The expert highlighted several technical details supporting this claim, particularly the unique desert camouflage pattern used by Israeli F-16I Sufa jets. This pattern, a mix of beige and light brown tones, is tailored to desert operations and is distinct from the designs of Egyptian fighter jets.
The F-16I Sufa, a highly advanced version of the American F-16, is equipped with cutting-edge offensive capabilities and precision targeting systems. These features make it a cornerstone of the Israeli Air Force for both offensive and defensive missions.
A Family Silenced
Shortly after, Egyptian military and intelligence officers arrived at the scene but swiftly left, instructing the family to remain silent and avoid speaking to the media about the event.
Recurrent Border Violations
The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights emphasized that this was not an isolated incident. Local residents have long reported repeated violations of Egyptian borders by Israeli forces. Since the beginning of Israel’s aggression against Gaza, the Sinai region has witnessed increased Israeli military activity, occasionally resulting in casualties among local civilians.
This tragic case underscores the need for accountability and transparency regarding Israeli military operations in border areas. The silence surrounding such incidents raises critical questions about sovereignty and the safety of residents in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
