Islamic extremists killed more than 30 soldiers in the single deadliest attack to hit the Egyptian military in decade, leading to a state of emergency being imposed.
The attack began with a car bomb that may have been set off by a suicide bomber, followed by a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades that struck a tank carrying ammunition, igniting a secondary explosion. Roadside bombs targeting rescuers struck two army vehicles, seriously wounding a senior officer.
The army has been struggling to stem the tide of extremism since overthrowing Islamist president Mohammed Morsi and the latest attack, about 9 miles (15km) from the northern Sinai city of el-Arish, was further proof.
Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials said the assault looked to be