EL ARISH: Egyptian security officials say a roadside bomb has targeted a pickup truck carrying members of the security forces in the turbulent north of the Sinai Peninsula, killing two.

The officials say the Sunday blast took place on a road just south of the coastal city of El Arish.

Five other members of the security forces and a civilian were wounded in the attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which bore the hallmarks of the extremist Daesh group, now leading a long-running insurgency in Sinai.

Meanwhile, Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would “do whatever is necessary to defend ourselves” after a report its military has carried out dozens of air strikes against militants in Egypt’s Sinai.

Netanyahu did not address the New York Times report published on Saturday, commenting only generally on Israel’s stance. Israel’s military also declined to comment.

The report, citing current and former US and British officials, said Israeli forces had carried out more than 100 airstrikes in Egypt over the course of more than two years with Cairo’s approval.

Using unmarked drones, helicopters and jets, the strikes in northern Sinai just over the border with Israel have targeted militants linked with the Daesh group, it said.

Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu referred to recent meetings with US President Donald Trump, European leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“As I also made it clear to President Trump and afterwards to European leaders and President Putin, our presence here is the main element in the Middle East blocking the spread of radical Islam, led by Iran and Islamic State, which also threaten all other elements in the world,” he said.