Egypt's military killed 20 militants in a helicopter strike in Sinai on Wednesday, state television reported, days after 16 of its soldiers were killed in an attack attributed to Palestinians.

The state-owned Nile News television reported that an Egyptian air force Apache helicopter fired on the militants' vehicles in the north of the peninsula.

A military official in Sinai said that the operation is continuing and at least 20 militants were killed in the operation in a village named Tumah.

Also air strikes carried out near the town of Sheikh Zuwayid, close to the village.

Overnight, unknown assailants attacked security checkpoints near the town of El-Arish, the officials said, adding that no one was killed in a gunfight that ensued.

Haniyeh accused Israel of orchestrating Sinai attack. Meanwhile, dozens of Egyptians demand that Cairo cut off ties with Israel.

"The attack's method confirms some sort of Israeli involvement aiming to achieve political and security goals, cause tension on the border with Egypt and destroy joint efforts to end the Gaza blockade," Haniyeh said.

Egyptian protesters in Cairo shared the sentiment. “It’s definitely Israel who is behind it," one protester said. "We demand the termination of any political relations with Israel,” protesters said

Source: Agencies