 EL-ARISH, Egypt (AFP) – Three Palestinians were killed at dawn on Saturday when a tunnel collapsed under Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip, an Egyptian security official said. Police found the bodies after hearing a loud explosion near the Salaheddin Gate which leads from the Egyptian side of the border into the impoverished Palestinian coastal territory.
"You sure those detonators are safe, Mahmoud?"
"Relax, Achmed, if they blow I have plenty more right here." |
Several Palestinians have died in similar incidents in recent months in the tunnels, which are used to smuggle arms, fuel and other supplies into Gaza.
| The 'other supplies' being spare parts for the Kassams ... |
In mid-October, Egyptian security forces blew up 10 tunnels used by smugglers to slip contraband into the territory which is ruled by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement. Israel has repeatedly urged Egypt to do more to shut down the tunnels. |