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Egyptian protesters gather in front of the Israeli embassy in Cairo, demanding the expulsion of Israel's ambassador. Khalil Hamra/AP

Egypt withdraws Israeli ambassador in protest at soldiers' deaths

Egypt’s interim rulers withdraw their ambassador, after at least three soldiers die in a shootout between Israel and Palestinians.

EGYPT HAS RECALLED its ambassador from Israel in protest at the deaths of at least three Egyptian troops killed in a shootout between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants who had launched a deadly attack on Israel from Egyptian soil.

The Egyptian cabinet – appointed by the ruling military council that took over power after Mubarak’s departure – revised an earlier statement saying the envoy, Yasser Reda, would be summoned for consultation — something that would have signaled a lower-level spat.

“The Egyptian ambassador to Israel will be withdrawn until we are notified about the results of an investigation by the Israeli authorities,” the Cabinet statement said, demanding an immediate probe.

It said Egypt would take all measures and send reinforcements to protect its borders and “to respond to any Israeli military activity at the Egyptian borders.”

The decision escalates tensions between the neighbouring countries, whose 1979 peace treaty is being tested by the fall of Egypt’s longtime autocratic leader, Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt’s interim government accuses Israel of violating that treaty, and said the envoy would be withdrawn until Israel concludes its investigation into the Egyptian security forces’ deaths.

Israel will likely see the recall as a worrisome sign that Egypt’s new leaders will be more responsive to public opinion about the Jewish state, which remains overwhelmingly unpopular because of its conflict with the Palestinians.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said the Israeli government was holding consultations on the Egyptian move, but would not comment further.

Israel says Gaza militants armed with guns, explosives, mortars and an anti-tank missile, killed eight Israelis in a roadside ambush on Thursday after infiltrating Israel through Sinai.

The Egyptian troops were killed as Israeli soldiers went after suspected Palestinian militants involved in Thursday’s deadly attack.

Israel has offered conflicting accounts about how the Egyptians were killed and the Israeli military has promised an investigation. But the Egyptian Cabinet, in a strongly worded statement, held Israel “politically and legally responsible for this incident,” saying lax security on its side allowed the ambush to take place.

The ambush also has threatened to stoke the Middle Eastern conflict as retaliatory violence between Israel and Gaza militants spiked. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 12 Palestinians, most of them militants, Friday in Gaza, and nine Israelis were wounded by Palestinian rockets fired into southern Israel.

Today, one of those rockets struck three Palestinians who were illegally residing in Israel, injuring two of them seriously, police said.

The withdrawal marks the first time since 2000 that Egypt has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel. The move came as crowds gathered at Israel’s embassy in Cairo, demanding that the Israeli ambassador be expelled over the attacks.

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    Mute Paul Dunning
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    Jun 5th 2020, 8:09 AM

    Hopefully the cases dont spiral . And people still social distance. We also need the economy up and running.and a bit of normality

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Paul Dunning: True Paul, and seeing the affect of community spread of the virus, is the best indicator of how soon we get a degree of normality back.

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    Mute finbarr walsh
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    Jun 5th 2020, 9:05 AM

    In your survey 15% would not wear face masks on public transportation! Seriously I can’t figure what goes through some peoples minds

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    Mute CazzoA
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:26 PM

    Win for Cork people!

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:43 PM

    I think this is a big step forward. However, the travel restrictions should just be scrapped. I live on the border of two counties yet I can travel 200 km throughout one county, but only 20 into the neighbouring county. It makes no sense in terms of staying local.

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    Mute BmcG
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:20 PM

    Plandemic coming to an end soon there will be no second wave

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    Mute Clodagh Nic L
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:01 PM

    @BmcG: thank you oh wise one

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    Mute Michael Byrne
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:46 PM

    @BmcG: Does that mean I can take my tin foil hat off now???

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    Mute dowthebow
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:53 PM

    @BmcG: unless they planned one??

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    Mute BmcG
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    Jun 5th 2020, 5:41 PM

    @Michael Byrne: take your tin foil hat off if you would like your neurons zapped with wireless data while you sleep, rewiring your brain and dampening your senses and leaving you robotic and devoid of sentimentality

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    Mute Liberty Peacock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 9:55 AM

    Brazil reached 3rd highest, of countries not corrupt and not lying about their numbers*

    Correct title

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    Mute Sean Bradley
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    Jun 5th 2020, 10:13 AM

    @Liberty Peacock: Jesus lad what do you know of Brazil? Do a little research to see how corrupt Brazil is. Worse that USA IMO.

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    Mute William Walsh
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:52 PM

    This in not about a virus anymore. Fianna Gael are trying to find out how far they can go to control the Irish people. We are conforming like puppets on a string.

    The virus is now confined to Dublin while the rest of the country suffers from restrictions of movement which is a violation of our constitutional rights.

    Social distancing was introduced to flatten the curve. (Mission Accomplished)

    I reserve the right to exercise civil disobedience from my freedom to choose in the same way as the women of Ireland chose abortion under the banner “my body my choice supported and encouraged by Varadkar and Harris. Well my freedom, my choice.”

    Time to get people back to work and prevent more businesses going to the wall.

    Protect the elderly and the vulnerable but open up the country again

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    Mute Danny O' Mahony
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:37 PM

    Disinfected dice. What’s the chances?

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:33 PM

    Can’t believe Hollywood is already making a movie about this pandemic.you would think they would wait until it’s over.. “disgraceful.”

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    Mute andy marsh
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:39 PM

    @flamrock: they always need a sequel……………. the virus fights back

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