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No Israelis Hurt in Attack on Tourists Near Pyramids

April 18, 1996
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Suspected Islamic extremists opened fire this week on a group of Greek tourists in Cairo, killing at least 18 and wounding 15.

Two Israeli groups were reportedly at the hotel at the time of Thursday’s attack.

But Israel’s ambassador to Egypt, David Sultan, said no Israelis were injured.

Sultan added that he did not think that the attackers meant to target Israelis.

There was some initial speculation that the attack was carried out as part of a threat by Hezbollah militants to retaliate for Israel’s continued shelling of Lebanon.

But later reports said the attack was probably made by Islamic extremist groups opposed to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s government, particularly the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood.

Such groups have in the past targeted tourists visiting Egypt.

The Greek tourists had reportedly visited Israel before going to Egypt.

The shooting took place outside the Europa, a popular tourist hotel in the Egyptian capital near the Pyramids.

A spokesperson for Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said four gunmen opened fire on the group as people were waiting by the hotel to board a tour bus.

Witnesses said some Polish tourists and an Egyptian man were also among the wounded.

According to news reports, the attackers, three men and one woman, had automatic weapons, firing on the group before fleeing.

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