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Gaza Tunnels Focal Point of War

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 10, 2009 4:07 PM CST
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(Newser) – The massive tunnels supplying food, medicine, and rockets from Egypt into Gaza are the bane of Israel's military, and a lifeline for Palestinians and the economy of Egypt’s destitute Sinai, the Los Angeles Times reports. Smuggling has been immune to military action, to the consternation of Israeli leaders. If it isn’t halted, “then one might very well ask why it was that we embarked on this war to begin with,” one Israeli general said.

The tunnels are as much an entrepreneurial endeavor as a military one. Private homeowners who allow their homes to be entry points get a cut of the profits. Smugglers “are not necessarily believed to be sympathetic to al-Qaeda or Hamas, but see it as a livelihood,” an expert said. Egypt seems afraid of denying its poorest citizens this income, and many agree that a solution can only be political. “As long as there's a blockade around Gaza, the tunnels will remain,” one smuggler said.

A Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
An Egyptian army guard tower and armored personnel carrier look out across the Egyptian side of the border at the Gaza strip beyond, in the Herzallah district of the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.
An Egyptian army guard tower and armored personnel carrier look out across the Egyptian side of the border at the Gaza strip beyond, in the Herzallah district of the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.   (AP Photo)
Palestinians examine a destroyed tunnel at the border between Gaza and Egypt, in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinians examine a destroyed tunnel at the border between Gaza and Egypt, in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
A Palestinian girl eats bread as she carries a doll in Gaza.
A Palestinian girl eats bread as she carries a doll in Gaza.   (AP Photo)
Flares from Israeli forces' operations are seen over Gaza City.
Flares from Israeli forces' operations are seen over Gaza City.   (AP Photo)
A Palestinian tunnel digger in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt.
A Palestinian tunnel digger in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
riffran
Jan 11, 2009 10:52 PM CST
LOOK MA A SEWER RAT!.....naw it's just saddam ....lol...riff
Guest
Jan 10, 2009 5:32 AM CST
Firing countless rockets into your country from the strip is not enough??? Imagine you go to the store to get a gallon of milk and a friggin rocket hits your car killing half your family, is that justification? If not, your a moron.
PosterNutbag
Jan 10, 2009 5:16 AM CST
Perhaps this quote was mistranslated from the general's native tongue, however, tunnels or not, I would still like to ask Isreal why they embarked on this war to begin with. You can't just have an occupation/invasion without justifying it, can you?

Inside the tunnels
Telegraph (UK)

The US has invested in Egyptian security, to no avail
MSNBC

Egyptians on the street fume at Gaza war
New York Times

 
Israel • Gaza • Hamas • Egypt • smuggler • tunnels • Gaza Egypt border • rockets

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