Egyptians see Gaza tunnels as security threat
Express concern that tunnels may turn Sinai into Palestinian-Israeli battleground. Former Egyptian ambassador to Israel: How can Egypt be expected to solve tunnel problem if Israel failed to do so?
"Egypt had to support the tunnels (from Egyptian territory into the Gaza Strip) during the (second) intifada because they were the Palestinians' only oxygen line, especially when the Rafah crossing was closed for extended periods," wrote Dr. Abd al-Munam al-Mashat in the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat, but added that "the situation has changed. Now the tunnels pose a problem for the Egyptians, especially in light of the increasing concern about terrorist attacks on their territory."
'Egypt will strike with an iron fist'
In an article dedicated to the tunnels, the newspaper reported that high-ranking Egyptian officials do not hide their concern about the cross-border excavations. In particular, they are worried that the tunnels may turn the Sinai Peninsula into a new battlefield between the Palestinians and Israel.
"Egypt will strike with an iron fist anyone who threatens its national security," warned former Egyptian ambassador to Israel Mohammed Basyouni, who is now chairman of the national security committee of Egypt's People's Assembly.
"Egypt is steadfast in its determination to guard its sovereignty. We are opposed to the tunnels because they are not a lawful way to cross the frontier. If Israel was unable to control the tunnels despite all of its resources, how can one demand that Egypt control them, especially since there is no map?" Basyouni asked.
The Egyptians are proud of their experience in dealing with sandy terrain. According to the report, when Israel discovered a tunnel into Gaza, its usual policy was to block the entryway with cement. However, the Palestinians would then excavate around the blockage and renew use of the tunnel.
The Egyptians, on the other hand, because of their Yom Kippur War experience in breaching Israeli sand fortifications, chose to flood the tunnels in order to cause them to collapse.
