Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., June 22, 2008 Sivan 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:57 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Rafah tunnel smugglers fear truce may be bad for business By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Rafah, Gaza, smuggling, Hamas Smugglers in charge of tunnels in the Rafah region told visiting reporters Wednesday they are worried the temporary truce will put an end to their enterprise. The smugglers said it costs thousands of dollars to dig a tunnel, and that most of their income in recent months has come not from weapons but rather ordinary goods, such as soft drinks, cigarettes, toys and clothing. Shipping all this merchandise from Israel to the Gaza Strip, under the new agreements, will render smuggling tunnels unnecessary. According to reports from Gaza, arms smuggling has decreased recently because the Strip is already flooded with arms. Tunnel operators said it takes just a few days to construct a tunnel. Each tunnel has many others leading from it, so if one is shut down, the others remain operational. They charge around $300 for a smuggled sack containing assorted items. Smuggling a person costs $3,000. Advertisement Various assessments put the number of tunnels operating along the border at Rafah at 100 at least. With Gaza under siege, the Hamas authorities have openly levied a tax on tunnel operators and those who order smuggled goods. Related articles: Despite truce deal, no goods at Karni border crossing on Sunday Military sources: IDF to pull troops if Gaza truce holds Noam Shalit: Gaza siege mustn't be lifted until Gilad freed Eager yet untrusting, both sides of Gaza border await calm ANALYSIS / For truce architect, Israel chose lesser of two evils Bookmark to del.icio.us   Purchase price More consumers are letting their consciences do the shopping. Fighting fear N.Y. mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors.   1.   Egyptian tunnel operators fear truce may be bad for business 05:05  |  Joseph.E 20/06/08   2.   I really feel your pain 07:15  |  Dan 20/06/08   3.   With the Opening of Rafah, 10 Merkava tanks.. 08:12  |  The Archives 20/06/08   4.   There you have it: a good reason to violate the ceasfire 08:44  |  Genuine Tosefta 20/06/08   5.   Amazing video of smuggling tunnels in Rafah 10:13  |  Joseph.E 20/06/08   6.   #4 Violate the Gazan`s only Source of Livelihood.....? 12:51  |  The Archives 20/06/08   7.   #4 Report like `Pity! Pity me! Let the tunnels continue..` 13:00  |  The Archives 20/06/08   8.   Wow! 14:00  |  DUPED 20/06/08   9.   ISRAELIS NEED TO MAKE A BACKFIRING KASSAMS AND STICK THEM IN 05:36  |  glenna 21/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Peace dead? Send us your own plan Responses: 224 U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to strike Jewish targets, report says Responses: 241 Report: Israel held drill as prep for attack on Iran Responses: 362 Messianic Jews: Police indifferent to threats against us Responses: 145 Report: Israeli political official says drill was a warning to Iran Responses: 119 More Headlines 02:36 Israel seeks Hamas flexibility on Shalit deal 22:03 Shalit's parents to petition High Court for clarification on truce 01:13 Report: North Korea developed nukes for Iran at bombed Syrian facility 23:19 Abducted IDF soldier writes to parents from captivity in Gaza 02:50 Iran slams reports of Israeli drill in preparation for strike 17:42 Group calls for end to arms transfer to Palestinian Authority 12:13 Obama: Israel right to provide for its security amid Iran threat 22:30 Couple assaulted in restaurant after asking diners to stop smoking 11:24 UNICEF severs ties with Israeli mogul over settlement building 18:59 Fire erupts at Maale Hachamisha hotel in Jerusalem hills 18:14 Israeli hiker missing in China after falling off cliff during trek Previous Editions Select Day 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun

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