Egypt to close Gaza tunnels

EGYPT’S military has begun an operation to close a network of smuggling tunnels under the Gaza border following tension with Israel.

Hundreds of tunnels snake under the nine-mile border, where smugglers bring Gaza supplies and fuel limited by an Israeli blockade. Israel says Gaza’s Hamas rulers bring weapons, ammunition and rockets through the tunnels and smuggle militants out.

Officials this week said three sensors were activated to identify tunnel locations and mark them for destruction. Earlier efforts were confined to trying to close tunnel openings, as well as one failed effort to drive a steel wall deep into the sand.

Israel and Egypt are concerned about the tunnel threat following an attack last month near the southern Israel city of Eilat, near the Egypt border, and a rising presence of Islamic militants in Egypt’s Sinai desert alongside Israel.

Israel says Gaza militants entered Sinai through the tunnels and crossed back into Israel, killing eight Israelis.