[Los Angeles Times] Ashraf Khalil - Gaza smuggling-tunnel owners have begun to direct their fury at the Egyptian government as Egypt has begun to impose stronger checkpoints throughout the Sinai Peninsula to prevent merchandise from reaching the tunnel zone. There's talk of police using informants to find hidden entrances and destroy dozens of tunnels with explosives or huge water hoses. "They seem to be taking it seriously this time," says Musab Shurrab, a police officer stationed at the border wall. Tunnel traffic resumed for about a week after Israel ended its offensive in Gaza on Jan. 18, with a new wave of goods appearing in Gaza's markets. Then, the owners say, something changed as extra security forces began appearing on the Egyptian side of the wall. Tunnel owners say they hope the current crackdown is just a temporary show by the Egyptians to satisfy international demands.
2009-02-17 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive