Egypt sentences two Israeli tourists to five years over hotel brawl

An Egyptian court sentenced two Israeli citizens to five years in jail on Saturday for assaulting hotel workers in the Red Sea town of Taba near the border with Israel last year, an Egyptian security source said.

In August, three Arab Israeli tourists and two Egyptian hotel workers were injured when a fight broke out at the Taba Hilton hotel.

A video of the brawl posted to social media at the time of the incident showed over a dozen people milling about and trading blows amid shouting and screams from others. One man was hit in the head from behind and then collapsed to the ground, while others rushed to help him.

One hotel worker was seriously injured.

According to media reports citing sources familiar with the incident, the Israelis had refused to pay for alcohol and services they received.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that the two Israelis had ordered a large amount of alcoholic drinks, but refused to pay, claiming that they had paid for an all-inclusive deal.

סרטון נוסף מטאבה: קטטה בין צעירים מנצרת לעובדי מלון מצריים מביאה ל-6 פצועים ומעצרים. pic.twitter.com/jaxrDmuArM

— כל החדשות בזמן אמת (@Saher_News_24_7) August 30, 2024

Citing local media, Kan said that during the fight, glass doors and furniture at the hotel was also destroyed. The seriously injured worker suffered a skull fracture and was left with 40 percent disability.

Some initial reports at the time claimed the hotel worker had died of his injuries.