On Aug. 9, four members of the Salafi jihadist group Ansar Jerusalem (Ansar Bayt al Maqdis) were killed as they were preparing to fire rockets toward Israel. While jihadist groups have contended that the four were killed as a result of an Israeli drone strike in cooperation with Egyptian authorities, conflicting statements have emerged from Egyptian sources. Additionally, Israeli officials have remained relatively mum.
While dispute still swirls as to the targeting of the cell, on Aug. 10 Hussein Ibrahim Salem al Tihi, from the Tiyaaha tribe, and Yusri Muhaareb al Saraarkah, Ibrahim Khalaf al Munei’I, and Muhammad Hussein al Munei’i, all from the Sawaarkah tribe, were buried following an extensive funeral procession. Over the past two days, photos and video from the funeral have been released to jihadist forums.
According to reports, during the funeral, those in attendance called for the end of the military’s rule and chanted “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!” Additionally, the Associated Press noted that “it is believed that many who were present are wanted by police for carrying out near daily attacks on security forces in Sinai.”
