Skip to main content

Despite Egyptian campaign, Gaza border tunnels resume smuggling activity

Despite the largely successful security campaign launched by Egypt in February 2013 against the Palestinian border tunnels in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, there are reportedly Palestinian attempts to bring back some of the destroyed tunnels to life.
A Palestinian man walks in a pool of water next to the entrance of tunnels, used for smuggling supplies between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Rafah, Gaza Strip, Sept. 18, 2015.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Despite the largely successful security campaign that Egypt launched in February 2013 against the border tunnels in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, members of families and tribes in the city of Rafah told Al-Monitor that there are Palestinian attempts to restore some of the destroyed tunnels and resume their activity.

The phenomenon of Palestinian underground tunnels emerged on the border with Egypt after Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza in 2007, as Palestinian organizations, along with large families who live in the city of Rafah, dug hundreds of tunnels along the 14-kilometer (9-mile) border with Egypt, making huge profits by smuggling and selling Egyptian goods in the Gaza markets.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.