State TV in Egypt is reporting the country has launched aerial military strikes in Sinai, killing more than 20 suspected Islamic militants.

The action took place on Wednesday in the Sinai region bordering Israel.

The military response is a reaction to an incident in the town of al-Arish on Sunday, when security checkpoints were allegedly attacked by gunmen. Also on Sunday, Egyptian border guards were killed in the area.

The government has partly blamed this attack on Palestinian militants.

An Egyptian army commander has said information was received that many of the militants were in al-Toumah village.

He told the media: "We have succeeded in entering al-Toumah village, killed 20 terrorists and destroyed three armoured cars belonging to terrorists. Operations are still ongoing."