Egypt targets Gaza tunnels

Egypt’s military has began 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 said that this week, three mechanised 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 increasingly concerned about the tunnel threat following an attack last month near Israel’s southern city of Eilat, near the Egyptian 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, attacking vehicles and killing eight Israelis.

Israel-Egypt relations took a hit when five Egyptian police were killed during a firefight between Israeli forces and fleeing militants. Egypt was outraged and Israel apologised.

Previous attempts to close the tunnels before have failed to curb illicit trade and people trafficking under the border, following the blockade imposed on the seaside territory in 2007, when Hamas seized control.

The officials said the operation was closely co-ordinated by the military leadership. So far, three main arteries have been detected, and one destroyed, they said.

The officials said the tunnels will not be blown up, but filled with cement and water.