Egyptian Killed, Israeli Tourists Injured in Hotel Clash

An Egyptian worker was killed on Friday during a fight at a hotel in the Egyptian resort town of Taba, which also left three Arab-Israeli tourists and other workers injured, according to a medical source who spoke to AFP.

The worker died from his injuries while being transported by ambulance from Taba, located near the Israeli border, to Sharm al-Sheikh, which is about 200 kilometers to the south. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

State-affiliated Egyptian outlet Al-Qahera News reported that three additional workers and three “Arab 48” tourists were also injured in the altercation. The term “Arab 48” refers to Palestinians and their descendants who remained in Israel after its establishment in 1948.

According to Al-Qahera News, the fight began when hotel staff clashed with the tourists, who allegedly tried to access hotel services without paying. The channel, which has ties to state intelligence, mentioned that security authorities are currently investigating the incident.

A senior security source refuted Israeli media claims that the incident was a “stabbing operation.”

The incident took place in Taba, a town in South Sinai that is a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

Egypt, the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel, has long played a significant role as a mediator between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, including during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.