A horrifying incident unfolded at the historic Pompey’s Pillar site in Alexandria on Saturday when a police officer opened fire on a group of tourists, resulting in the deaths of at least two Israelis and one Egyptian, according to the country’s Interior Ministry.

The suspected gunman, identified as a police officer by two anonymous Egyptian security sources, was swiftly arrested and taken into custody. The Extra News television channel, known for its close ties to Egyptian security agencies, confirmed his apprehension.

Israel’s foreign ministry has confirmed the deaths of two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian guide in the shooting. The victims were visiting the tourist site, which dates back to the late Roman Empire, when the tragic incident occurred.

Following the shooting, the Pompey’s Pillar site was immediately sealed off by authorities as investigations into the incident commenced.

The heartbreaking incident comes at a time when the Israeli military is engaged in a fierce battle against Palestinian militants from Hamas. The militants launched an attack across the border from Gaza on Saturday morning, sparking intensified clashes.

Israeli media has reported that the country has suffered its deadliest attack in decades, with approximately 350 Israelis killed and over 1,590 people injured. In response, Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry, have resulted in the deaths of at least 313 people, including 20 children, and have left nearly 2,000 others wounded. Additionally, seven individuals, including a child, were killed by Israeli army fire in the West Bank.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a warning to residents of Gaza, urging them to evacuate the area as he vowed to turn parts of the territory “into rubble” in retaliation for what he described as a “black day.”