Hamas worried as Egypt closes tunnels

[toomuchtime_]

For years, the tunnel economy in the Gaza Strip has flourished. An estimated 1,000 tunnels were burrowed underground, connecting the southern Gaza town of Rafah and the Egyptian–controlled Sinai Peninsula. Everything from new cars (cut up into pieces for shipping) to cigarettes, weapons and drugs came through the tunnels.

Hamas, which took control of Gaza in 2007 sparking an Israeli blockade of the Strip, even taxed the goods coming out of the tunnels. Tunnel owners became Gaza’s nouveau riche, and tunnel workers earned a decent wage, mostly because of the danger that a tunnel could collapse made it a risky job.

But after an August 5 attack that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula, the Egyptian government has closed dozens of tunnels, fearing that some of the attackers may have used them to enter Egypt from Gaza.

A delegation of Hamas officials visited Egypt this week to discuss the closure of the tunnels.

In a statement, Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar said the delegation discussed “the possibility of shutting down Rafah’s smuggling tunnels completely after opening another commercial border. There would be a signed agreement between Gaza and Egypt like any other country that has borders with Egypt.”

Other Hamas officials say they would like to institute a free-trade zone that would help the Gaza economy recover from the Israeli boycott. Israel has allowed food and medicine to enter Gaza, and recently began allowing some construction materials for US-AID funded projects.

Earlier this week, some 200 Palestinians held a protest asking Egypt to stop closing the tunnels, saying they are the only way to supply Gaza with basic goods and necessities.

So far at least, supermarket owners told The Media Line, there are no shortages because of built-up stocks that are continuing to be sold. But, they said, there is concern that if more of the tunnels are destroyed, shortages could follow.

It is not clear how many tunnels have been demolished so far. Of the approximately 1,000 tunnels, about 225 are considered “primary” conduits. Estimates are that Egypt has demolished between one-third and half of these tunnels.

Hamas worried as Egypt closes tunnels - JPost - Middle East

So Morsi is closing tunnels more aggressively than Mubarak did.

 

[ForeverYoung436]

For years, the tunnel economy in the Gaza Strip has flourished. An estimated 1,000 tunnels were burrowed underground, connecting the southern Gaza town of Rafah and the Egyptian–controlled Sinai Peninsula. Everything from new cars (cut up into pieces for shipping) to cigarettes, weapons and drugs came through the tunnels.

Hamas, which took control of Gaza in 2007 sparking an Israeli blockade of the Strip, even taxed the goods coming out of the tunnels. Tunnel owners became Gaza’s nouveau riche, and tunnel workers earned a decent wage, mostly because of the danger that a tunnel could collapse made it a risky job.

But after an August 5 attack that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula, the Egyptian government has closed dozens of tunnels, fearing that some of the attackers may have used them to enter Egypt from Gaza.

A delegation of Hamas officials visited Egypt this week to discuss the closure of the tunnels.

In a statement, Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar said the delegation discussed “the possibility of shutting down Rafah’s smuggling tunnels completely after opening another commercial border. There would be a signed agreement between Gaza and Egypt like any other country that has borders with Egypt.”

Other Hamas officials say they would like to institute a free-trade zone that would help the Gaza economy recover from the Israeli boycott. Israel has allowed food and medicine to enter Gaza, and recently began allowing some construction materials for US-AID funded projects.

Earlier this week, some 200 Palestinians held a protest asking Egypt to stop closing the tunnels, saying they are the only way to supply Gaza with basic goods and necessities.

So far at least, supermarket owners told The Media Line, there are no shortages because of built-up stocks that are continuing to be sold. But, they said, there is concern that if more of the tunnels are destroyed, shortages could follow.

It is not clear how many tunnels have been demolished so far. Of the approximately 1,000 tunnels, about 225 are considered “primary” conduits. Estimates are that Egypt has demolished between one-third and half of these tunnels.

Hamas worried as Egypt closes tunnels - JPost - Middle East

So Morsi is closing tunnels more aggressively than Mubarak did.

The Gazans dig holes like rats.

 

[MJB12741]

As soon as Israel granted the Palestinians their own Jew free Gaza, Egypt closed th border on them. Gosh, I wonder why Egypt would do such a thing to the noble peace loving, life loving Palestinians?

 

[High_Gravity]

Boo fuckin hoo, it had to end sometime.

 

[Hossfly]

Bring on them Scandanavian Blockade Runners!

 

[irosie91]

A few days ago I offered to open the BETTING on how long it will be before a BALESTINIAN trying to sneak into egypt gets an egyptian bullet in his brain------so far no takers------has the current news INSPIRED ANY OF YOU BETTING MEN?

 

[pbel]

A few days ago I offered to open the BETTING on how long it will be before a BALESTINIAN trying to sneak into egypt gets an egyptian bullet in his brain------so far no takers------has the current news INSPIRED ANY OF YOU BETTING MEN?

I think the Egyptians are going to hold the peace with Israel and the Jihadists will lose out to the moderate Fatah in time. Egypts border opening for Gaza will imensly improve their lives and that in itself is a moderating force.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Egypt has far more to gain with Israel than with Hamas.

 

[MJB12741]

Egypt had no problem with an open border with Israel. Why all this border concern now that their own Arab Palestinian brothers share Egypts border?

A few days ago I offered to open the BETTING on how long it will be before a BALESTINIAN trying to sneak into egypt gets an egyptian bullet in his brain------so far no takers------has the current news INSPIRED ANY OF YOU BETTING MEN?

I think the Egyptians are going to hold the peace with Israel and the Jihadists will lose out to the moderate Fatah in time. Egypts border opening for Gaza will imensly improve their lives and that in itself is a moderating force.

 

[BecauseIKnow]

Hamas militants can easily find a way around it.

 

[SAYIT]

Hamas militants can easily find a way around it.

Wishful thinking.
Gazans may now see Hamas as a better choice than the PLO but will soon weary of the hopelessness and desperation that comes with electing your terrorist comrades.
Hamas's days are numbered.

 

[BecauseIKnow]

SAYIT loves dreaming and having fantasies. Hamas is always gonna be here. And America pushed for the election. And Hamas Is a revolutionary militant group. That is there to defend palestinaisn from any Israeli aggression

 

[SAYIT]

SAYIT loves dreaming and having fantasies. Hamas is always gonna be here. And America pushed for the election. And Hamas Is a revolutionary militant group. That is there to defend palestinaisn from any Israeli aggression

No they're not.
They represent the now century old Arab rejection of a Jewish homeland in Israel, a decision that has cost the "Palestinians" dearly but which must end if they are ever to escape the hopelessness and desperation their rejection has wrought.
Palestinians Try to Resurrect a U.N. Resolution They Violently Rejected 64 Years Ago
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...kYCoDA&usg=AFQjCNHOvyD8LHKwQ05lBMgTjLtbNpAAmQ

 

[BecauseIKnow]

PLO not Hamas

 

[BecauseIKnow]

Israel will reject everything anyway. It's not like the UN will matter at all

 

[SAYIT]

Israel will reject everything anyway. It's not like the UN will matter at all

People act in their own interests. Israelis know peaceful coexistence is in their best interest which is precisely why the "Palestinians" refuse to accept it.

 

[BecauseIKnow]

Israel will reject everything anyway. It's not like the UN will matter at all

People act in their own interests. Israelis know peaceful coexistence is in their best interest which is precisely why the "Palestinians" refuse to accept it.

Israel's interests always change after they occupy more land and get what they want. Now Israel's interest is to keep their population mostly Jewish. They will never allow a peace plan that would give any land back or end any settlements.

 

[SAYIT]

Israel will reject everything anyway. It's not like the UN will matter at all

People act in their own interests. Israelis know peaceful coexistence is in their best interest which is precisely why the "Palestinians" refuse to accept it.

Israel's interests always change after they occupy more land and get what they want. Now Israel's interest is to keep their population mostly Jewish. They will never allow a peace plan that would give any land back or end any settlements.

Israel pulled out of Gaza leaving a Jew-free territory for your "peaceful" Arab brethren.
The "Palestinian" reaction? Rockets, grenades and Hamas.
There must be a reason that both Jordan and Egypt keep their borders with "Palestine" tightly controlled.

 

[BecauseIKnow]

People act in their own interests. Israelis know peaceful coexistence is in their best interest which is precisely why the "Palestinians" refuse to accept it.

Israel's interests always change after they occupy more land and get what they want. Now Israel's interest is to keep their population mostly Jewish. They will never allow a peace plan that would give any land back or end any settlements.

Israel pulled out of Gaza leaving a Jew-free territory for your "peaceful" Arab brethren.
The "Palestinian" reaction? Rockets, grenades and Hamas.
There must be a reason that both Jordan and Egypt keep their borders with "Palestine" tightly controlled.

What a propaganda statement. I've heard it a lot before.

Israel pulled its forces out of Gaza. Who brought the Gazans nothing but headache and destruction. They took their few thousand settlers out. They better have done that.

When they left they bombed up Gaza like the usual. And supported Fatah with a Koup against Hamas. Hamas found the weopons as well. And Israel threw a siege on Gaza and closed all their borders. Then broke multiple ceasefire which led to rockets. And they were planning the Gaza war way before 2008. They wanted to keep the Gaza economy on the brink of collapse.

So peaceful...they just want to have peace...right...

 

[SAYIT]

Israel's interests always change after they occupy more land and get what they want. Now Israel's interest is to keep their population mostly Jewish. They will never allow a peace plan that would give any land back or end any settlements.

Israel pulled out of Gaza leaving a Jew-free territory for your "peaceful" Arab brethren.
The "Palestinian" reaction? Rockets, grenades and Hamas.
There must be a reason that both Jordan and Egypt keep their borders with "Palestine" tightly controlled.

What a propaganda statement. I've heard it a lot before...

What a lame response.