The Ministry of Interior and National Security in the Gaza Strip announced this week that it had foiled an attempt by three gunmen to enter Egypt through the southern border of the Gaza Strip on Nov. 13. One of the suspected jihadis was arrested and the two others remain on the run.

The ministry said it thwarted a similar attempt on Nov. 8, explaining, "There was an exchange of fire with three gunmen before the security forces were able to arrest them, seize their weapons and refer them for investigation. Security forces continue to scout the area along the southern border with Egypt” for two other suspects.

The men in both instances are suspected of belonging to small extremist groups that subscribe to Islamic State ideology.

The Nov. 8 incident is seen as the first time in years that Gazan gunmen with ties to IS have tried to enter Egyptian territory. The last known attempt was made Aug. 17, 2017, by two alleged IS militants at the Sinai border. One of the militants blew himself up when a group of Palestinian security forces approached to apprehend them. He died and his companion was injured along with a number of security personnel.