Police forces thwarted, in the early hours of Tuesday, a suicide bombing attempt that targeted a security checkpoint in the city of Al-Arish in the North Sinai governorate, according to a statement by the Ministry of Interior.

The attempt was to be executed via a small white truck that was reportedly stolen, and was full of explosive materials.

The driver, who attempted to pass the security checkpoint during curfew hours in Al-Arish, refused to abide by  the instructions of the police forces to stop for inspection.

An exchange of fire then took place between the police forces and the driver, which ended with the death of the latter, and the truck collided with a cement wall located next to the checkpoint.

A civilian, whose car was being examined at the checkpoint, was injured as a result of the exchange of fire, and was transferred to the General Hospital of Al-Arish.

The police forces declared a state of emergency on the streets and buildings that surround the checkpoint and deactivated the explosive materials in the truck.

Reporting by Mina Ibrahim