Two IDF soldiers (a man and a woman) were killed on Saturday in two separate gunfights in the Baran region of the Israeli-Egyptian border. A third soldier was also killed in a firefight in a separate incident, according to an IDF statement released Saturday afternoon: “An IDF soldier was killed in a firefight with an attacker in Israeli territory. Baran’s regional brigade. IDF soldiers near the soldier opened fire and neutralized the aggressor. The Israeli military says the terrorist who killed two Israeli soldiers and a third soldier in a shootout in the area hours later was an Egyptian policeman..

Additionally, an IDF non-commissioned officer was lightly injured and evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.

The families of the soldiers have been informed. According to the statement, the IDF expresses its deepest condolences to the families.

At around 4:30 am, suspicious activity was detected by Israeli security forces near Nitsana. The soldiers arrived in a jeep when an Egyptian terrorist opened fire on them as they entered Israeli territory. After the gunfight, the soldiers were injured and communication with them was suddenly cut off.

IDF patrols were sent to search for them in the area and their bodies were found around 9:30 am. During the IDF search operations, the terrorist opened fire on the soldiers again before being shot dead. Several people were injured in the incident and admitted to Soroka Hospital in Beersheva.

Defense Minister Yoav Galant assessed the security situation with the Chief of Staff and senior security officials.

On Tuesday, IDF soldiers foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs worth about 300,000 shekels. IDF soldiers have tracked down suspects trying to smuggle drugs into Israeli territory from Egyptian territory.