Barak denies apologising for killing of five Egyptians

Israel’s Defence Minister has said that he did not apologise to Egypt for the killing of five Egyptian security personnel by the Israel Defence Forces last week. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 2 television, Ehud Barak said that he didn’t offer an apology, he “expressed regret” while promising to involve Egypt in the investigation into the incident.

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The minister claimed that the attack in Eilat which preceded the killings of the Egyptians was “an attempt to ruin Israel’s relations with Egypt”. Barak said that he is comfortable with the Israeli government defusing the current tension in its relationship with Egypt. “The peace with Egypt is the most important strategic asset that the state of Israel has,” he added.