Islamic State (IS) terrorists have killed a Christian father and son in a village in Egypt.

On 30th August, members of IS entered Jilbana, near the town of Al-Qantara East, seemingly shooting at random and killing Salama Waheeb Moussa and his son Hani Waheeb Moussa while they were working on their family farm. 

Their bodies were discovered by police after their family lost contact with them. 

Hani Waheeb Moussa leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), IS has increased its operations in the area in recent weeks as the Egyptian army has sought to restrain their influence. 

It is understood that a large number of IS operatives have moved from the Sinai peninsula, located between the Red sea and the Mediterranean sea, into cities on the west side of the Suez Canal to escape the military offensive. 

In mid-August, a group of IS operatives entered Jilbana, and have been fighting police and military in the region since that time.

According to Coptic journalist Nader Shukri, the Egyptian army recently killed a large number of terrorists, with the help of tribes from the region. Among them were prominent commanders of the group.

IS militias have been known to be operative in the Sinai area since 2011 with terrorist attacks being concentrated in the area. 

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Salama and Hani Waheeb Moussa, and to the wider Coptic community in northern Sinai and across Egypt. 

"We commend the efforts of the Egyptian army and security forces to combat the threat posed by IS and other terrorist factions, and encourage the Egyptian authorities to protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by continuing the pursuit of these groups, whilst taking care to ensure that any counterterrorism measures have the minimum possible impact on civil liberties."

Egypt ranks 20 in Open Doors' list of countries where Christians are persecuted the most.