RAFAH, Egypt, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Egyptian border guards destroyed a tunnel to the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip after finding guns and grenades in it, a reassuring action for Israel two days after it left Gaza. "The opening of a tunnel was found ... and it went to the other (Gaza) side of the border," an Egyptian security official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters on Wednesday. He said it was discovered near the Rafah border crossing.| "Hokay boys, which tunnel do you want us to 'find', Tom, Dick or Harry?" |
The tunnel, which started inside a house and was at least 10 metres (33 feet) below the surface, contained 35 automatic rifles with 115 magazines and three rocket-propelled grenade launchers with 280 grenades, the security official said. He said no one was found in the tunnel or nearby, and the tunnel had since been destroyed.
Since Egyptian guards started deploying on Monday, thousands of Palestinians have crossed the frontier freely into Egypt, which says it wants to let them celebrate the Israeli withdrawal before resealing the border. Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner said Israel had confidence in Egypt's ability to control the frontier and stop arms smuggling.
| Sure they do, the Egyptians are famous for their military prowess. Ask any Israeli. |