CAIRO: Egyptian troops have killed 14 jihadis in shoot-outs in the restive Sinai Peninsula, scene of an insurgency since the ouster of President Muhammad Mursi, the army says.

It said 47 people were arrested in the clashes on Saturday that state news agency MENA said broke out near Sheikh Zuwaid in north Sinai.

Also on Saturday, four children were killed when a mortar round crashed into their home in El-Joura, a suspected bastion of militants.

Officials said the mortar attack apparently targeted soldiers and police combing the area for militants who had shot dead two senior officers.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s army said Sunday it has destroyed 13 more tunnels connecting the Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip, taking to 1,639 the overall number it has laid waste to.

Hamas, which is the main power in Gaza, reportedly uses the tunnels to smuggle arms, food and money into the blockaded coastal enclave.

Ties between Hamas and Cairo have deteriorated since the Egyptian army deposed Mursi on July 3, 2013. Hamas is an affiliate of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood.

Cairo also accuses of Hamas of being involved in militant attacks inside Egypt, which have multiplied since Mursi was toppled.