Sources: Hamas arms smuggling never stopped during IDF op in Gaza

haarezt ^ | 22/01/2009 | Anshel Pfeffer and Barak Ravid,

[Jet Jaguar]

Although the Israeli air force bombed the Phildelphi corridor along the border thousands of times during the course of the Cast Lead campaign, smugglers acknowledge that some tunnels running under the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip have remained in use, and were in operation even during the fighting. Contrary to media reports, the Israeli air force apparently did not use more powerful bunker-busting bombs to destroy the tunnels, rather than regular explosives. Tunnels lined with wood reinforcement have been especially resistant to air force bombing raids.

Smugglers manage to transfer merchandise, drugs and weapons through tunnels dug under the Philadelphi corridor. According to residents of Rafah, the reinforced tunnels were even used during the Israeli military offensive to smuggle in a group of German doctors who wanted to provide medical care to Gaza residents. In addition to Palestinian smugglers, Bedouin from Sinai are also involved in the trade through the tunnels.

One of the Bedouin in the area insists that the smuggling will continue because they have no other way to earn a living. The Egyptian police operating in the area periodically blow up the Palestinian-built tunnels when they become aware of them, but they reportedly turn a blind eye to Bedouin subterranean smuggling routes.

[gondramB]

>>some tunnels running under the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip have remained in use, and were in operation even during the fighting. Contrary to media reports, the Israeli air force apparently did not use more powerful bunker-busting bombs to destroy the tunnels, rather than regular explosives.<<

Since Israel is at peace (more or less) with Egypt I can see why Israel chose to not drop bunker busters on their border.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

"Smugglers manage to transfer merchandise, drugs and weapons through tunnels dug under the Philadelphi corridor."

So when's the BBC news report on this? I'm sure the UN is going to issue a condemnation any minute now........

[TXnMA]

"Since Israel is at peace (more or less) with Egypt I can see why Israel chose to not drop bunker busters on their border."

You, apparently, do not understand how "bunker busters" work. The "more powerful" description in the article is misleading. They do not carry massively larger explosive charges -- they penetrate deep into the soil/concrete -- then explode a modest warhead. The result is a vertical "fountain" of debris -- with near-zero collateral damage.

If you knew what you were seeing, you could observe them in action during the "shock and awe" phase -- across the river, near Saddam's palace(s)...

[SunkenCiv]

Arms Are Still Arriving Through Undamaged Tunnels
The Times | January 22, 2009 | Sheera Frenkel and Jack Shenker in Rafa
Posted on 01/22/2009 5:37:06 AM PST by Fennie
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2169435/posts

[Gaza/Egypt Border]The Smuggling Tunnels are Open for Business!
Fox News | January 21, 2009 | Mike Tobin
Posted on 01/22/2009 3:34:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2169830/posts

A Gaza Post-Mortem
World Jewish Daily | 01.23.2009 - 7:43 AM | Noah Pollak
Posted on 01/25/2009 8:31:16 AM PST by gallaxyglue
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2171387/posts