Egypt moves to block Gaza smuggling tunnels

DHAKA: Egypt began work to seal off smuggling tunnels into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, a security source said,

It happened two days after gunmen shot dead 16 Egyptian border guards in an attack blamed partly on Palestinian Islamist militants, reports The Jerusalem Post.

According to the report, heavy equipment was brought to the area near the tunnels, which are used to smuggle people to and from Gaza but also food and fuel that are a lifeline for the territory’s population.

‘The campaign aims at closing all the openings between Egypt and the Gaza Strip that are used in smuggling operations,’ said the security source.

BDST: 1957 HRS, AUG 7, 2012

Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor