Blast targets Egyptian troops as demolitions continue

In one week, 300 houses were demolished as the government gave residents 48-hours to evacuate their homes.

EL ARISH, EGYPT // An explosive device went off on Monday near Egyptian troops demolishing houses in a town on the border with the Gaza Strip where Egypt is clearing a buffer zone to halt weapons smuggling.

Rafah and surrounding areas in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula have been under a state of emergency for more than a week since 31 troops were killed in a militant assault.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, which caused no casualties.

The region has emerged as a stronghold of Islamist militants, who have carried out scores of attacks in recent months mainly targeting soldiers and police.

Authorities also imposed a curfew from dusk to dawn and limited the movement of armoured vehicles and tanks on main roads believed to be booby-trapped with roadside bombs.

Over the past week, 300 houses were demolished out of more than 800 targeted, housing more than 10,000 residents. The military aims to create a 500-metre wide buffer zone along the 13-kilometre border with Gaza extending from the Mediterranean Sea.

Authorities initially gave residents a 48-hour ultimatum to leave their homes. The demolishing of the houses, even with government promises to provide compensation for those displaced, has angered many residents.

* Associated Press