Egyptian Youth Killed in a potential Israeli Airstrike in Egypt – Egyptian Authorities Must Investigate and End Media Silence in Sinai

London – December 24, 2024

The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights stated today that an Egyptian youth was tragically killed in northeastern Sinai on Saturday afternoon, December 21, 2024, likely due to an airstrike carried out by an Israeli F-16I Sufa fighter aircraft. The incident has been shrouded in silence by Egyptian authorities, who have yet to issue any public statements or initiate an investigation.

The Foundation obtained video footage and spoke to four eyewitnesses, all confirming that an Israeli military aircraft carried out the airstrike inside Egyptian territory, in the Al-Ajraa area south of Rafah, approximately three kilometers from the Israeli-Egyptian border. The war aircraft was seen pursuing a drone believed to have been launched by Yemeni Houthi forces. The missile, intended for the drone, struck the car of 18-year-old Jihad Youssef Abu Aqla instead, killing him instantly and leaving his body in pieces. Abu Aqla was buried quickly without any official investigation, statement, or even a death certificate—an apparent attempt by Egyptian authorities to cover up the incident.

Witnesses reported seeing two drones flying low over the Al-Barth and Al-Ajraa areas south of Rafah around 2 PM on Saturday. Shortly after, a fighter aircraft appeared. The aircraft managed to shoot down one drone near Al-Barth but missed the second target over Al-Ajraa, with its missile tragically hitting the young man’s vehicle instead.

A military aviation expert consulted by the Foundation confirmed that the aircraft involved was Israeli, not Egyptian, citing several technical details. The F-16I Sufa, he explained, is known for its distinctive desert camouflage of beige and light brown patterns, which are designed to blend into arid environments and are unique to the Israeli Air Force. The camouflage visible in the footage matched this description.

The expert further described the F-16I Sufa as an advanced version of the American F-16, specifically modified for Israel’s needs. It features cutting-edge radar systems for tracking multiple targets, sophisticated navigation tools, and enhanced missile evasion technology. Notably, the aircraft seen in the footage was equipped with external Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs), a signature modification for long-range missions frequently conducted by the Israeli Air Force.

The Foundation also spoke with a relative of the victim, who shared devastating details about the incident. “Jihad was driving in Al-Ajraa, near a settlement of the Tarabin tribe he belonged to, heading for a family visit. Suddenly, a missile struck his car, and he died on the spot,” he said. “The aircraft that fired the missile was clearly visible and flew back toward Israeli airspace immediately after the attack.” The family struggled to collect Jihad’s remains, burying him without official paperwork. “We reported what happened to the Egyptian army, and a unit, along with intelligence officers, came to inspect the site briefly before leaving. They warned us not to talk to anyone about what had happened,” the relative added.

Residents of Sinai have long reported repeated Israeli border violations. Since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023, the area has seen intensified Israeli military activity, often resulting in injuries and fatalities. On October 22, 2023, for instance, the Israeli army admitted to accidentally striking an Egyptian military post near the border, injuring Egyptian soldiers. The same day, an Israeli aircraft downed a Yemeni drone near Nuweiba in southern Sinai. On May 27, 2024, Israeli soldiers fired on Egyptian troops, killing at least one soldier.

The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights views Abu Aqla’s killing as yet another chapter in Israel’s pattern of unchecked violations, reflecting the military’s disregard for human rights and international law. Over the past year, in Gaza alone, Israeli forces have committed crimes against humanity and genocide, cutting off aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians.

While Israel’s failure to investigate the killing of an Egyptian civilian may come as no surprise given the ongoing conflict, the Egyptian government has an obligation to act. It must launch a transparent and independent investigation into the incident, ensuring that the public is informed of the findings and the steps taken to protect civilians and prevent such tragedies in the future.