CAIRO: Egyptian authorities have discovered a tunnel being used to smuggle cars into the Gaza Strip while a smuggling operation was underway, the official MENA news agency reported on Tuesday.
Two contraband cars were in the tunnel, located in the Al-Dehniya region south of the Rafah border crossing, the agency.
Policemen raided the area as smugglers attempted to move the cars and traded fire with them but the smugglers managed to flee aboard stolen vehicles, a security official told AFP.
Cairo has stepped up its controversial fight against smuggling into Gaza underground and by sea, under pressure from Israel and the United States, to prevent arms smuggling.
Authorities frequently raid and destroy smuggling tunnels that lead into the impoverished Gaza enclave from Rafah, the only way in and out of the Palestinian territory not controlled by Israel.
The impoverished territory of 1.5 million people has largely relied on the vast network of tunnels on the border since Israel and Egypt sealed Gaza off to all but vital aid after Hamas seized power in June 2007.
Most of the tunnels are used to bring in basic goods like food, household appliances and livestock.
Egypt opened its Rafah crossing for travel and humanitarian aid last month after Israel’s May 31 deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
