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The Gaza-Egypt Smuggling Tunnels Are Still Operating

(Al-Monitor) Hana Salah - The tunnels used for smuggling goods between Gaza and Egypt are still operating despite the dangers posed by the Egyptian army's campaign to destroy them. "Border tunnels are still needed to get certain materials that Israel does not allow through the Kerem Shalom crossing," said a Palestinian who works in a commercial tunnel on the Gazan-Egyptian border. "After the Egyptian army heavily mobilized on the border, we extended the tunnel by an average of 3 km. [nearly 2 miles] so it goes behind the Egyptian army's focal points." "In the past, many more tunnels were operating, smuggling was booming and there was no buffer zone to expose our movements. However, today the [Hamas] Ministry of Interior has erected tents all around the border. Each tent has a committee responsible for searching the goods entering the tunnels, allowing workers through and collecting taxes. In order to avoid paying taxes to Hamas, which have reached 100% on a pack of cigarettes, we have to dig tunnels inward toward the Palestinian city of Rafah to avoid inspection points. But other traders have extended tunnels inside the city to smuggle more prohibited goods." The tunnel worker noted that some individuals from Gaza have passed through the tunnels to join ISIS in Sinai. Recently, 15 people headed toward Sinai during Ramadan through the tunnel, he said.
2018-07-13 00:00:00
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