Egypt attack: What do we know?
In the deadliest-ever attack in Egypt, militants assaulted a crowded mosque Friday during prayers, blasting helpless worshipers with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades and blocking their escape routes. At least 305 people were killed, including 27 children, with 128 others injured, Egyptian state news agency said.
What happened?
State media showed images of bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El Arish, the main city in North Sinai.
Worshipers were finishing Friday prayers at the mosque when a bomb exploded, witnesses said. Around 40 gunmen set up positions outside the mosque with jeeps and opened fire from different directions as people tried to escape.
"Four groups of armed men attacked the worshipers inside the mosque after Friday noon prayers. Two groups were firing at ambulances to deter them," said Mohamed, a witness.
Death toll from the Sinai mosque attack rises to 305, Egyptian state news agency said.
'Will avenge our martyrs'
No group immediately claimed responsibility, but since 2013 Egyptian security forces have battled an ISIL affiliate in the mainly desert region, and militants have killed hundreds of police and soldiers.
In a televised statement, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sent a message of condolence to the families affected by the deadly attack, saying that the "vile and treacherous" act would not pass without a decisive punishment, and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
“What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism, to destroy our efforts to stop the terrible criminal plan that aims to destroy what is left of our region," Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a televised address.
"The armed forces and the police will avenge our martyrs and restore security and stability with the utmost force," Sisi said.
Hours after the attack, Egypt's military launched air strikes on targets in mountainous areas around Bir al-Abed, security sources and witnesses said.
Egypt later said it would delay the opening of the Rafah border crossing to Gaza after the attack due to security concerns. The crossing had been due to open for three days beginning on Saturday.
Who was targeted?
Striking at a mosque would be a change in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have usually attacked troops and police and Christian churches.
How has the world reacted?
The terror attack has drawn widespread local and international condemnation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of condolences to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi over the deadly attack, saying China opposes all forms of terrorism. Beijing supports Egypt’s anti-terrorism efforts to safeguard security and stability, he noted.
In his message, Xi extended deep sympathy to the Egyptian government and people, profound condolences to the victims, and sincere solicitude to those wounded.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also deplored the deadly attack to his Egyptian counterpart, saying China will work with the Egyptian side in fighting against terrorism.
The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have condemned the deadly attack on a mosque in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in “the strongest terms" and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
US President Donald Trump, in a post on Twitter on Friday, called the assault a "horrible and cowardly terrorist attack."
Trump later called Sisi to express his condolences and said the United States "stands by Egypt's side in its fight against terrorism and is ready to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in this field," according to a statement from Sisi's office.
France, UK and Italy, as well as Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Kuwait, also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Egypt.