ISIS Kill 38 Christians On Palm Sunday In A Carefully Planned Attack In Egypt

The explosion Sunday morning — in the city’s Abbassiya district — hit the small church of St. Peter and St. Paul attached to the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, said the Coptic Church’s official spokesperson, Rev. Paul Halim, according to the government-sponsored Al-Ahram news outlet.
At least 25 people are dead and dozens injured, Al-Ahram said, citing the health ministry.
Egyptian state news agency MENA reported, citing security sources, said a 12-kilogram TNT bomb caused the blast..
In response to questions from CNN about the size of the bomb, a police official who asked not to be named told CNN: “It is too early to determine the type and amount of the explosives used,” and authorities are unable to confirm reports about a 12-kilogram bomb.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known but Egypt’s Christian minority has often been targeted by Islamist militants in recent years.
Video and pictures of what appears to show the horrifying aftermath as crowds gather around dead bodies have emerged online.
The incident comes as Coptic worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter that marks the start of Holy Week for Christians.
Some 25 people died when a bomb exploded at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo during a service in December last year.
Hundreds of Christians have fled the country’s Sinai Peninsula following killings in the area.
Pope Francis is set to visit Egypt later in April.