Two People Die in Gaza Tunnel Collapse

A masked Palestinian man in a Gaza tunnel.

A masked Palestinian man enters a Gaza tunnel.

Gaza, 08 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/08 December 2016 (MINA) – Two young people were killed as a tunnel collapsed in Al-Shuja’ya district, to the east of Gaza City, on Wednesday, KUNA reported.

Spokesman of the Ministry of Health in Gaza Strip Ashraf Al-Qodwa identified the two dead persons as Ismail Shamali and Rami Al-Arir, in their 20s.

Meanwhile, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas movement, mourned the two young men in a statement here tonight, saying they are two of its members.

Since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Israel has inflicted collective punishment on Palestinians in an attempt to weaken support for the armed group.

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The lifeline for Gazans in this blockade has been the smuggling tunnels, through which an estimated 30 per cent of goods enter the strip from the Egyptian side. These tunnels, many of which are significant constructions,

Analysts estimate that at least two-thirds of the goods sold across the Gaza Strip come from the tunnels, and that they employ some 12,000 Palestinians from all over the territory. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)