Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Weapons, commerce find way

A Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to the Gaza Strip under the border in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, in November. In addition to arms, the tunnels are the main conduit for commerce and a lifeline for food and medicine for Gaza residents. (Khalil Hamra / The Spokesman-Review)

A U.S. government study issued in 2008 reported that Egyptian officials have privately acknowledged that between 10 and 30 main tunnel shafts run underneath the border at any one time.

Long-range Iranian-made missiles, such as the Grad rockets that struck Ashkelon in May 2008, are relatively large weapons that could only be moved through tunnels of considerable scale, according to a former Pentagon official.

Some of the tunnels are large enough to run railroad cars under the border, according to people who have been briefed by Israeli officials, although it’s unclear whether rail cars are used.

Wealthy families in Rafah allow their private homes or rental properties to be used as tunnel openings, which are then rented out to Hamas gunrunners.