Monday’s raids, backed by helicopters, led to the arrest of 16 suspected militants.

The sweep was among the biggest in an ongoing offensive against suspected militants waging an insurgency in the strategic area bordering the Gaza Strip and Israel, the officials said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

The raids are part of an escalation of the fighting in Sinai.

On Friday, Egypt army aircraft pounded suspected militants' positions, killing 13 people.

Late last month, militants, some of whom are linked to al-Qaeda, shot down an army helicopter, killing all five men on board.

Since the ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks there, killing several members of security forces.

RA/NJF