Security sources: 15 Gaza-Egypt smuggling tunnels in operation
Arms smuggling into PA, transporting people to Egypt considered a lucrative source of income.
By Avi Issacharoff and Amos HarelPalestinian and Israeli security sources believe there are approximately 15 active tunnels in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, between the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. The tunnels are being used by smugglers to move arms, drugs and people, sources say.
The same sources say there are at least 10 other tunnels in the area that are not in use due to various technical reasons.
There have been several attempts to dig tunnels along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. These tunnels could be used to conduct raids, abduct Israelis or lay explosives.
The Rafah tunnels are being controlled by the most powerful clans in the area, who consider them a very lucrative source of income.
The various militant organizations use the tunnels to import various types of weapons and explosives.
The United States is demanding in its Benchmarks Plan to Israel and the Palestinians that the latter work to counter the tunnel phenomenon.
Earlier this week, Palestinian security forces uncovered a tunnel in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, close to the border with Egypt. During the operation, Palestinian smugglers opened fire on the security forces.
The commander of the Preventive Security force in Rafah, Yussef Siam, told Haaretz that the tunnel was blocked with a new technique. The security forces dig every 10 meters or so along the tunnel, and then pour reinforced concrete into the holes.
Siam said that this operation is part of a broader anti-tunnel offensive.
The senior officer said that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that intensive efforts be undertaken to counter the tunnel problem.
He also stressed that the Palestinian security forces need sophisticated technology to uncover the tunnels, and added that their efforts were being carried out in coordination with the Egyptians.
The Palestinians provide the Egyptian security forces with information about the location of the tunnel's exit on the Egyptian side of the border, and they seal access to it.
Recently, the Palestinian security forces have identified a new trend in the use of the tunnels: Palestinians wanted for criminal activities are using them to escape abroad. In some cases, criminals in custody manage to escape with the help of their jailers.
Massive police deployment
The general lawlessness and disorder in the Gaza Strip, particularly the southern parts appeared to be the focus of a massive deployment of Palestinian police Wednesday night.
Thousands of Palestinian police reportedly began deploying in Gaza City as part of the first phase of a security plan approved by the cabinet, a Palestinian official said.
About 3,000 police were fanning out across the city, said Nabil Shaath, an aide to Abbas. Details of the plan were vague.
The first duties of the police would be to direct traffic and fight crime, officials said. The overall goal is to put an end to the chaos, clan warfare and violent infighting that has plagued Gaza, officials said.
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Palestinian security personnel preparing to seal a tunnel, used for arms smuggling, during an operation on the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip last week. (Reuters) |
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The palestinians are pouring reinforced concrete? That makes no sense unless they are installing rebar underground first. Rebar is what reinforces concrete. You can pour concrete, but you cannot pour reinforced concrete. Just some more disinformation courtesy of the PA or Haaretz.
..successful talks with the tunnel lords if you may make your easy living by the "tunnel market"? They won't give away their tunnels and their weapons either even if not connected to the various fighting groups. May be the security forces become involved in this business soon as well. So the deployment of PA's police might make things even more save for the tunnel lords and the more complicated for Israel. Brain digging would be nice instead of tunnels but what if there exists only one layer in the heads of most of them? If the EU would give to all in Gaza say $ 1000 Dollars per month hardened luxury tunnels wuould be built, I guess.
One thing for sure, the tunnels being destroyed is a good thing. Escaping criminals running around all over the other Arab States is not a good thing. Get rid of the smuggling first, show a police presence to assure the people, stabilize the neighborhoods and roads, less fear and more chance of peace. this is a good thing.
They said to maintain security, not to remove all weapons from Gazans. Can you even begin to comprehend the consequences of a Pal authority trying to remove all arms in Gaza?!! It's be %100 civil war. The militants will declare war on the Pal authority and its security forces. Such delicate issues require patience and step-by-step approaches. First you make sure security and stability prevails, make sure these guys don't need their guns anymore. Then you simultaneously move towards a peace solution with Israel to convince the militias that they don't need their weapons for that either. And after your security forces have proven to be adequate enough to maintain security you start slowly, gradually and wisely to remove the weapons. This also has to be accompanied with talks with the heads of these militant groups.
Since she took office there hasn't been a peep from her on the world stage about the tunnels. Why? Because she was Sharon's wingman and got him the votes for the Katif Surrender. SO how can the Intern of Foreign Affairs have been wrong? She can't!!! That's why she kept her mouth shut. Tzipi is ALWAYS right (not).
interesting, Abbas deployed his security personal in gaza and they stand aroudn watch a gun in mask holding a machine gun walk by them. i guess they are orders to stand and watch, but dont act. good use of their time. do they really need guns? maybe a chair would help since they dont need to act quickly for anything.