RAFAH - Egyptian police on Monday found crates containing around 18,000 bullets hidden in a tunnel near the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip, security officials said.

The tunnel linked Egypt to the Gaza Strip, where the ammunition appeared to be destined.

"It seemed the smugglers felt the police were close so they abandoned the ammunition and fled," said one official, who asked not to be named. He said the tunnel would be destroyed.

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Egypt has frequently seized large quantities of weapons and explosives in Sinai over the last three years, some of which police suspect were bound for Palestinians.

Earlier this month, police found rocket-propelled grenades and hand grenades hidden in the sand on the border with Gaza.

Israel has accused Egypt of not doing enough to prevent weapons smuggling to Palestinian militants. Egypt denies the charges and has asked Israel to provide information on any planned smuggling operation.