ISIL reportedly kills 21 Egyptian hostages in Libya

  The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has released a video purporting to show the killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya.

  The footage released on Sunday appeared to show 21 handcuffed hostages dressed in orange jump suits being beheaded.The video, titled “A message signed with blood to the nation of the cross”, says the killings were directed at “the hostile Egyptian Church”.The group said the killings were revenge for “Muslim women persecuted by Coptic crusaders in Egypt”. There was no immediate comment from the Egyptian government.In January, ISIL’s branch in Libya, claimed it had abducted 21 Christians in two separate operations in Sirte.