The Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip deployed forces along the border with Egypt on Wednesday after attacks in Sinai by radicals affiliated with the Islamic State killed over 70 people.

Iyad al-Buzem, spokesman of the ministry, said security forces and patrols were deployed along the southern border to maintain security and stability.

At least 70 people, mostly Egyptian soldiers but also civilians, were killed in attacks and ongoing clashes with Islamic State group radicals in the Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday, officials said.

The attacks, in which car bombs were used, were the most brazen in their scope since radicals launched an insurgency in 2013 following the army’s overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi.

In a statement released online, IS said it had carried out a multi-pronged assault that involved three suicide bombers.

“In a blessed raid enabled by God, the lions of the caliphate have simultaneously attacked more than 15 checkpoints belonging to the apostate army,” the group said. MAANNEWS