Egypt Destroys Tunnel on Gaza Border

Cairo, 4 Jumadil Awwal 1437/13 Febrary 2016 (MINA) – Egyptian military forces on Thursday destroyed an underground concrete tunnel passing from the northern Sinai Peninsula into the Gaza Strip.

The Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that soldiers discovered and destroyed the 1.2-meter-wide tunnel spanning 35 meters and lying nine meters below ground.

The tunnel was equipped with two power cables, two lighting cables, and two telephone lines, according to the statement.

The ministry claimed the tunnel had been used to smuggle people, weapons, and ammunition into Gaza, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency reported, quoting Ma’an.

Palestinians in Gaza have relied on underground smuggling tunnels across the Egyptian border since 2007 when Israel imposed a military blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control there.

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The tunnels have since provided a vital lifeline for the besieged territory’s more than 1.8 million residents.

However, Egypt has destroyed and flooded hundreds of the tunnels as part of an ongoing security campaign in the northern Sinai Peninsula against anti-regime militants launching attacks on Egyptian police and military personnel.

Egypt accuses Hamas of supporting the insurgents, allegations Hamas strongly denies. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)