Weapons, commerce find way
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.