2017 Palm Sunday church bombings in Egypt

Casualties and immediate response

Authorities reported at least 43 people killed and more than 136 injured in the two blasts. The violence provoked a swift national reaction: security leaders moved to secure churches and public spaces, and the government convened top officials to coordinate the response. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi publicly addressed the attacks and met with security advisers.

Perpetrators and claim

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), specifically its Sinai Province branch, claimed responsibility for the bombings in an online statement. The group has previously attacked security forces and minority communities in Egypt; this incident was one in a pattern of strikes that have targeted religious minorities and civilians to sow fear and sectarian tension.

Context and significance

The victims were members of Egypt’s Coptic community, the largest Christian population in the Middle East and a minority within the country. Attacks on churches in periods of worship are intended to maximize casualties and to intimidate religious communities. Many local and international religious and political figures condemned the bombings, and discussions followed about protecting places of worship and preventing radicalization.

Background and aftermath

Palm Sunday is a major observance in the Christian calendar, and the choice of date increased the attack’s resonance. In the days after the bombings, security measures around churches were intensified and investigations were launched. The events spurred national mourning and renewed debate over counterterrorism strategy, intercommunal relations, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

Further reading

• Contemporary coverage and timelines: Palm Sunday reports
• Details on the attacks and sites: Twin church bombings
• Information on Alexandria and the Coptic patriarchate: Alexandria and Saint Mark's Cathedral
• Official statements and responses: Statements from national leadership