Egypt security authorities on Saturday arrested 16 Africans in North Sinai while they were attempting to sneak into Israel via Egypt’s eastern border.
An Egyptian security source said security forces arrested the group near the border between Egypt and Israel, south of the border signs 9 and 54.
According to the source, security authorities warned the group to turn themselves in, but they responded by firing at them. Security men exchanged fire with the group before finally arresting them.
The group consisted of 13 Eritreans and 3 Sudanese who were referred to the concerned authorities to investigate the incident.
Israel claims approximately 10,000 Africans have entered its land illegally via Egyptian borders over the past few years.
International organizations, for their part, have been accusing Egypt of using excessive force on African infiltrators.
Egypt, meanwhile, has said it has the right to use force as a measure to protect its national security.
Egyptian authorities have, since the beginning of 2010, killed 24 African migrants in addition to at least another 19 in 2009.
