Smuggling tunnel on border
צילום: AP
Two killed in blast in smuggling tunnel
Palestinians report two killed, two others missing in explosion of gas canister within smuggling tunnel located on Egypt-Gaza border
Police and hospital officials say two Palestinians have been killed in an explosion in a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border.
Police said Saturday that two others are still missing. Officials say the blast went off Friday when a gas canister blew up.
Dozens of tunnels run under the border. They are one of the main conduits for weapons, food, and even animals, and tunnel smuggling activity has been steadily increasing since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007.
Friday's deaths bring to 47 the number of Palestinians killed in tunnels this year. The rising deaths have caused Hamas to force tunnel operators to sign a pledge to compensate the families of those killed. Also, Egypt has stepped up efforts in recent months to close tunnels.
