Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 08, 2009 Tevet 12, 5769 | | Israel Time: 10:38 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:00 12/03/2008
Smuggler buried alive when tunnel collapses near Egypt-Gaza border
By The Associated Press
Tags: smuggling, Gaza Strip, Egypt

EL-ARISH - An underground tunnel collapsed early Wednesday near Egypt's border with the Gaza strip, burying alive one smuggler and injuring another, a security official said.

Palestinian smuggler Mohammed el-Bashiti and five others had nearly finished expanding the 600 meter tunnel from Gaza into Egypt located 10 meters beneath the ground, when the ceiling gave way, said the official.

According to the official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, el-Bashiti precipitated the collapse of the tunnel's sandy ceiling when he pushed a pole through to the surface in effort to show his accomplices where the tunnel ended.
Advertisement
The tunnel stretched from the al-Salam district on the Palestinian side and ended in Rafah's Canada neighborhood on the Egyptian side. It was an old tunnel the smugglers were attempting to renovate.

Electric tools, lamps and other equipment were also buried, the official said, adding that the five other smugglers managed to escape including, including the man who was hurt.

Palestinian smugglers use tunnels to bring weapons and contraband goods into Gaza from Egypt.

Israel says anti-tank missiles, tons of explosives and thousands of rifles have reached militants in Gaza through the tunnels.


Related articles:
  • Egypt police uncover smuggling tunnel leading to Gaza Strip
  • U.S. weighs plan to help Egypt block arms smuggling to Gaza
  • Hamas: No truce until IDF ends Gaza, W. Bank raids
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Humanitarian initiative
    There is a way for Israel to prove it is committed to universal moral values.
    Top Targets
    An Islamist site is compiling a list of U.K. Jews to target over Gaza op.
      1.   A self-punishing crime 17:10  |  Mark Lincoln 12/03/08
      2.   Egypt should supply logistic support to the poor guys 17:19  |  Figaro 12/03/08
      3.   An underground tunnel Haaretz! where else are they built? 17:22  |  Romano 12/03/08
      4.   tunnel 19:39  |  colin 12/03/08
      5.   Police the Gaza Border 19:42  |  Proud Israeli 12/03/08
      6.   There must be a way to blame Israel 19:46  |  Scharker Yid 12/03/08
      7.   All terrorists should die horrible deaths 21:04  |  Dani 12/03/08
      8.   POETIC JUSTICE 21:05  |  TAZ 12/03/08
      9.   They must first smuggle in timbers and cement. 21:29  |  Stephen. 12/03/08
      10.   Beautiful.... 21:44  |  Jordan 12/03/08
      11.   They will definately blame Israel 22:03  |  leo 12/03/08
      12.   Palestine is arab land stolen by fake jews 22:41  |  Fatchi 12/03/08
      13.   It`s Israel`s fault. That pole was stolen in Israel 23:05  |  Farid 12/03/08
      14.   # 12. Mr. Fatchi.....I presume.? 23:25  |  Stephen. 12/03/08
      15.   # 12 Fatchi of Ramallah 23:44  |  Lynn 12/03/08
      16.   Dino`s eulogy 00:22  |  enrique 13/03/08
      17.   If Egypt was serious about stopping the smugglers 00:32  |  MaryRose 13/03/08
      18.   #12 Fatchi, Get your facti straight. TThe time is on your side as 03:09  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 13/03/08
      19.   But Tunnels Achieve their Purpose 04:36  |  AJ 13/03/08
      20.   Fatchi stop yelling and go home.Arabs have no business in Judea 05:14  |  Izzy 13/03/08
      21.   They wont need to bury him - jobs done 19:55  |  Adrian de Klerk 13/03/08
      22.   I would Target the Tunnels with all Viligence 01:33  |  Stephen 14/03/08
     Read & React
    Yossi Melman: Excellent intel on Gaza shows Israel learned from Lebanon errors
    Responses: 6
    Barak Ravid: Gaza op has put an end to Israel's honeymoon with Turkey
    Responses: 4
    At least three Lebanon rockets hit north Israel; IDF responds with shells
    Responses: 12
    Nasrallah: Hezbollah will make Lebanon war look like a walk in the park
    Responses: 16
    Gideon Lichfield: So, why isn't Israel winning the PR war?
    Responses: 2


    More Headlines
    09:47 At least three Lebanon rockets hit north Israel; IDF responds with shells
    10:33 ANALYSIS / Rocket attack on North is realization of Iranian threat
    08:59 Nasrallah: Hezbollah will make Lebanon war look like 'a walk in the park'
    10:04 Four Palestinians killed, 12 hurt as IAF bombs 60 Gaza targets
    10:23 Palestinian shot dead after trying to blow up settlement gas station
    09:39 Mubarak invites Olmert to Cairo to discuss Gaza truce offer
    07:29 ANALYSIS / Excellent intel on Gaza shows Israel learned from its errors in Lebanon
    07:34 ANALYSIS / Israel's three alternatives for the future of the Gaza war
    18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    03:17 Iran's Larijani meets Hamas political chief Meshal in Damascus
    09:33 IDF sources: Conditions not yet optimal for Gaza exit
    06:22 ANALYSIS / Gaza op has put an end to Israel's honeymoon with Turkey
    22:58 Rice: Gaza truce needed, but must not allow return to 'status quo ante'
    05:00 48-hours after her wedding, IDF officer enters Gaza with her troops
    21:27 Obama vows to 'engage immediately' on Mideast once inaugurated
    05:51 Lindenstrauss blasts slow handling of evacuated Gaza settlers' plight
    06:14 Tel Aviv judge defends right of Arab anti-war protesters
    07:21 Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer faces Gaza protest while playing in New Zealand
    01:51 German court rules Nazi hit man unfit to stand trial
    06:44 El Al asks frequent flyers to donate points to lone soldiers
    20:40 In battle for public opinion, IDF Web site puts female face forward
    05:14 IDF reserve troops receive fictitious calls for duty in Gaza
    22:00 Joe the Plumber named conservative Web site's war correspondent in Israel
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Academic Studies in Israel
    All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved