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Terrorists Kill 23 in Egypt Attack

Three bombings hit an Egyptian beach resort on the Sinai Peninsula popular with foreigners Monday evening, killing at least 23 people on streets filled with tourists as well as Egyptians. The terrorists struck the Sinai seaside city of Dahab in the early evening along a crowded promenade of shops, restaurants and bars. Those reported killed included 20 Egyptians and three foreigners. Sixty-two people were wounded, according to various news services.

The explosions came a day after terror leader Osama bin Laden issued a call to arms for Muslims in support al-Qaida in fighting what he calls a war against Islam. The bombings ? the third terror strike on a Sinai resort in less than two years ? hit Dahab at 7:15 p.m., when the streets were jam-packed with tourists strolling, shopping or looking for eating venues by the tranquil waters off of the coast of Sinai.

Hotels and guesthouses were filled with foreigners and with Egyptians celebrating the long Coptic Christian Easter weekend that coincided this year with Shem al-Nessim, the ancient holiday marking the first day of spring. Israelis often vacation in Sinai, captured by the Jewish state in the 1967 Six Day War, which is significant as the attack also took place just before "Sinai Liberation Day", marking the return of the Sinai peninsula to Egypt by Israel following their peace treaty.