Background Material: Rafah Weapon Smuggling Tunnels

Weapons Smuggled Into The Gaza Strip Since January 2003

Since January 2003, large amounts of diverse weapons have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip, including:

General Background

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1994-1995, granted the Palestinian Authority control over most of the Gaza Strip. The agreements specify that the IDF will continue to control a narrow strip between the area under Palestinian control and the border with Egypt, called the "Philadelphi Route." On both sides of the route are the towns of Palestinian Rafah and Egyptian Rafah.

During the ensuing years, the area has been used for smuggling, and rapidly became the main pipeline for transporting weapons and ammunition into the Gaza Strip. The smuggled weapons are then transferred to the rest of the Gaza Strip, comprising the majority of the weaponry in the Gaza Strip, which is then used for carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Currently, the area is used for smuggling weapons, drugs, goods and lately, human beings.

The City of Rafah

The smuggling business began in Rafah during the 1980's, due to the city's economic condition and geographic location. The smuggling is carried out mainly through tunnels dug under the border - while in the past smuggling took place overland as well.

Parallel to the smuggling industry in the area, the extremist Islamic infrastructure also developed, which increased the involvement of the residents in terrorist and smuggling activity.

The economic element comprises an important factor in channeling local residents and families into the weapons and ammunition smuggling industry. During this period, a large-scale smuggling industry developed in Rafah.

This industry comprises a primary source of income for entire families, and is the main source of income in the area. Due to the lucrative economic aspects of this industry, a power struggle has been raging between different clans and tribes over control of the smuggling.

The Process of Constructing Tunnels

The method of tunnel construction is complex and has evolved numerous times throughout the years. Currently, the construction of tunnels is overseen by Palestinian residents of Rafah who have specialized in this area over the years.

The smugglers in Rafah are now experts in digging tunnels and smuggling weapons. The smugglers participate in this activity in all its aspects.

The smugglers transport weapons for terrorist organizations, or for other elements who order firearms in exchange for money, and transfer money to Palestinians and Egyptians who own the house or land while the tunnel is dug.

These people are adapt at how to avoid detection of the tunnels, thus they build them in residential areas and use small children to construct the tunnels and smuggle the weapons.

Steps for Building a Weapon Smuggling Tunnel

1) Locate a landowner who agrees to provide his house for the exit of a tunnel.

2) Search for a suitable opening for the tunnel on the Egyptian side. The tunnel opening should be located in a house or within private property, to: allow the owner of the house to cross from one side to the other; to keep in accordance with agreements reached with Egyptian officials; for economic reasons, and to prevent discovery of the tunnel by Egyptian officials.

3) Choosing an engineer: An engineer who specializes in the excavations of tunnels is chosen. The engineer mobilizes and recruits individuals to construct the tunnel, and provides electric and hand-held tools for the job.

4) Duration of the excavation: The duration of the excavation may last anywhere from two weeks to two months based on the following conditions:

Instructions for Exacavating the Tunnel:

1. Secrecy: Ensure that the building area of the tunnel construction remains secret. Do not allow members of any other family or clan to discover the tunnel.

2. Work at night: To guarantee that the tunnel is not discovered, and to conceal excavation activity from the IDF.

3. Transporting tunnel material: Transport the sand (from the excavation activity) away from the site in a vehicle.

Smuggling Methods:

1. Egyptian smugglers leave the merchandise at the entrance to the tunnel and depart.

2. Palestinian smugglers cross to the Egyptian side of the tunnel, and transport weapons and other merchandise to the Palestinian side.

3. Subsequent to the use of the tunnel, the subterranean passage is concealed to prevent discovery.

Part II: Activity Carried Out by Terrorist Organizations and Their Relationship with the Palestinian Authority

The Hamas

1. The Hamas terrorist organization utilizes the Rafah area to arm its members throughout the Gaza Strip. This effort is aided by senior Hamas members and terrorist organizations in various countries - who transport weapons throughout the Gaza Strip via the Rafah tunnels.

2. Hostile terrorist activity against IDF forces in the area.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

1. During the current armed conflict, the PFLP has smuggled weapons and explosives to the Gaza Strip.

2. This effort is aided by Iranian official, as part of Iranian efforts to to bolster the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. As part of the above-mentioned effort, Iranian officials have smuggled weapons to the PFLP, and maintain close contact with supporters based in Egypt.

The Involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the Current Armed Conflict

1. The Palestinian Authority has aided in the above-mentioned terrorist activity since the beginning of the current armed conflict.

2. For example, the Palestinian Authority has encouraged residents to conceal tunnels in their residences, which results in the demolition of their houses.

3. Today, however, the demolition of a house in which a tunnel has been uncovered, brings with it an ample windfall, as well as the construction of a new house - built of concrete in the neighborhood of Tel-Sultan by the Palestinian Authority.

As a result, residents have even begun to construct fictious tunnels, and spread rumors about tunnels located under their houses in order to receive compensation from the Palestinian Authority after their home is demolished. Thus, the Palestinian Authority encourages the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.

4. During the entire cease-fire period, the Palestinian Authority failed to deal with the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip, as it should have. This smuggling, during the cease-fire, served to arm the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and strengthen the terrorist infrastructure in the area.

Palestinian Authority Activity to Re-Arm

During the current armed conflict, the Palestinian Authority itself, through the "Re-armament Network," has been active in smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip via tunnels.

Part III: IDF Activity

During the past year and a half, IDF forces have acted forcefully to prevent smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.

The Wall

In order to create a continuous cover of observation and fire, and as well as a physical blockade, a wall was errected. As part of the wall, the Termit and Hardon outposts were established.

Targeted Activity to Uncover and Demolish Tunnels

During 2003, the IDF has uncovered and demolished 36 tunnels (specified later on) as well as a large number of houses and buildings from where the tunnels emerged.

Summary

Parallel to the process whereby the demolition of houses in which smuggling tunnels have been uncovered, provides financial compensation, there are those Palestinians who reject the digging of the tunnels both from houses they own or from neighboring houses.

October 12, 2003

The Rafah Smuggling Tunnels: A Historical Background

Introduction

The construction of smuggling tunnels in the Rafah area began in 1982, when the city was territorially divided between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Such tunnels were used to smuggle various materials under the Israel-Egypt border fence. However, the smuggling tunnels were quickly taken advantage of by terrorist organizations - who utilized them for weapons smuggling.

In 1994, the Palestinian Authority accepted security responsibility for the city. Subsequently, the excavation of tunnels accelerated, due to the encouragement and financial support of the Palestinian Authority.

Smuggling Tunnels: What Are They Used For?

The smuggling of weapons from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
The smuggling of goods purchased or stolen in Egypt and re-sold in the Gaza Strip for profit.
The smuggling of such items as: cigarettes, automobile components, electronic goods, cloth, foreign currency, gold and narcotics.
The smuggling of terrorists from Rafah to the Sinai area in Egypt, from where they enter Israel in the Negev Desert area. It should be noted that terrorists belonging to various organizations enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt to carry out suicide bombings against Israeli targets in the region.

Characteristics of Tunnel Excavators

The majority of individuals involved in tunnel excavations do not belong to any specific terrorist organization. Rather, they are hired to construct tunnels by any entity with adequate funds.

Nevertheless, terrorist organizations often hire contractors to construct tunnels - to maintain control of smuggling activity in the area.

The Involvement of the Palestinian Authority in Tunnel Construction (Until 2001)

The Palestinian Authority acted against tunnel construction until the start of the current conflict in September 2000. Nevertheless, it should be noted that such action was taken to prevent activity incompatible with the interests of the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Authority decided to keep the tunnels intact after their potential for financial gain and weapon smuggling was realized.

Indeed, Palestinian security officials encouraged, financed, and supported smuggling tunnels in order to maintain the ability to smuggle weapons for their security apparatuses and control generated revenues.

The Involvement of the Palestinian Authority in Weapon Smuggling During the Current Conflict

Since the beginning of the current armed conflict (September, 2000) the Palestinian Authority has taken no serious action against the above-mentioned tunnels. Thus, Rafah has evolved into a lawless region, through which terrorists and weapons pass unhindered. It should be noted that this state of anarchy poses a serious risk to the residents of the area.

Since the start of the current conflict, other methods of smuggling have decreased, due to the blocking of the sea route frequented by smugglers, and the sealing of the border route along the Gaza Strip and Israel. In addition, the increase of security checks at internal and external crossings have played a part in reducing smuggling activity via crossing and border routes.

Thus, terrorists, in conjunction with the Palestinian Authority, have increased their use of underground smuggling tunnels that extend from Rafah to Egypt. Such smuggling activity is undertaken for the purpose of acquiring and upgrading weapons.

A Description of the Economic Aspects of Smuggling Tunnels

The tunnels in Rafah provide a source of income for many families in the area, as exorbitant prices are charged for the transportation of smuggled goods. As such, involvement in excavating or hosting smuggling tunnels offers an opportunity to attain improved economic conditions.

As such, Palestinian security officials take advantage of the harsh economic conditions in Rafah - and often pressure its residents to host smuggling tunnels used to transport terrorists.

Since September 2000, the construction of weapon smuggling tunnels along the Israel-Egypt border has evolved into a primary conduit of weapons for terrorist organizations.

Indeed, the hosting of smuggling tunnels is no longer limited to a limited number of families, but affects the general populace of the city. The residents of Rafah often perceive the geographic location of their house (close to the Israel-Egypt border fence) as an advantage - which can be used to develop a smuggling route and generate an income.

It is worth noting that those who take part in this activity do so with the knowledge that even if their houses are demolished by IDF forces, they will be granted an alternative residence by the Palestinian Authority in nearby Tel-Sultan.

The few families who are not involved in tunnel related activities are exposed to criminal and terrorist elements - the presence of which results in intensive activity by security forces in the area. In addition, these families come under intense pressure to participate in smuggling activity (within densely populated areas).

Media-Hyped "Operation"

On August 28, 2003, the Palestinian security apparatus began a media-hyped "operation" to uncover weapon smuggling tunnels and arrest smugglers.

However, in practical terms, this operation bore very limited results. A small number of tunnels were uncovered, and sealed with a minor amount of concrete, enabling the quick re-opening of the tunnels. Although several smugglers were detained -- they were deemed minor operatives. Senior operatives, some of who are closely linked with the Palestinian security apparatuses, were warned in advance, which enabled them to avoid arrest.

The feeling among the residents of Rafah is that the above-mentioned operation was merely an exercise in propaganda, and was not meant to eradicate smuggling. In sharp contrast to the incompetence of the Palestinian security apparatuses in uncovering tunnels, the IDF uncovered some 33 tunnels during 2002. A similar number of tunnels were uncovered during 2003.

http://www.idf.il/newsite/english/1012-2.stm

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Background Material: Rafah Weapon Smuggling Tunnels

The Rafah Smuggling Tunnels: A Historical Background

A MUST READ. Shows you the PLO terror regime sponsorship and support of terror, of course, but also the fake "peace" which exists between Egypt and Israel.