EL-ARISH, Egypt — Egyptian authorities detained 13 African migrants on Sunday as they attempted to sneak illegally into Israel in search of jobs and a better life, a security official told AFP.

"They were nationals of Eritrea, Sudan, Ghana and the Ivory Coast headed to Israel to find jobs there," the official said, adding they were detained south of the Rafah border.

"Seven of them were taken to El-Arish hospital in north Sinai suspected of being ill with a contagious disease," the official said, refusing to elaborate.

The 250-kilometre (155-mile) Egyptian-Israeli border has become a major transit route for migrants and asylum-seekers.

Dozens of migrants, mainly Africans, have been arrested in recent months as Egyptian police try to halt the constant stream into Israel. Several have been killed while trying to make the crossing.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said earlier this month that more than 1,500 Africans, mostly from Eritrea, have entered Israel illegally through Egypt since the start of the year.