Friday, January 09, 2009

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Rafah tunnels make Egyptian border porous

Saturday 14 June 2008

On paper, the border between the Palestinian territory of Gaza and Egypt is shut. But merchandise goes through tunnels from the border town of Rafah. Since Hamas took power in Gaza, their number has dramatically increased. (Report: M. de Chalvron)

Saturday 14 June 2008


Tunnels are like a lifeline in a territory crushed by the Israeli embargo. They were traditionally used to smuggle weapons into Gaza, but now merchandise from Egypt is the number one priority. Even electric generators are brought in from Egypt.

When it comes to business opportunities in Rafah, working in a tunnel is one of the very few options available. It’s a money-making business: having a box of merchandise smuggled into Gaza costs 350 dollars. Shopkeepers in the strip complain that this is too expensive, but Abu Djendel, owner of one of the tunnels, says the price is in line with his own expenses.



 

 

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