RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - Gaza's tunnel smugglers are getting back to business after a forced break during the massive Gaza-Egypt border breach, despite renewed promises from Israel and Egypt to shut down the illegal trade. Egypt closed the border more than a week ago, ending 12 days of anarchy that allowed hundreds of thousands of Gazans to stock up on cigarettes, cement and fuel in Egyptian border towns. But with the blockade of Gaza—enforced by both Israel and Egypt—back in place, a scarcity of goods and rising prices will fuel the black market again.
Smuggler Abu Diya and his cohorts, who temporarily suspended trafficking through the dozens of tunnels the run under the border for lack of customers, said they'll resume operations once it makes economic sense, probably in about three weeks. "Palestinians can do the impossible to break this boycott," Abu Diya said. "Whatever Israel does, we'll find a way around it."