The Current Network of Underground Tunnels Serve as a Lifeline for Palestinians Living in Gaza Strip

Jan.14, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - The United States government finally broke its silence on the construction of the steel wall currently being built along the border between Egypt and Gaza Strip.

 

The wall, once completed, could totally blockade the southern Gaza border region from widespread smuggling activities. All Gazans depend on imports of their everyday needs from south of the border through smuggling; therefore, tunnels' closures will be detrimental to Palestinians living in Gaza Strip.

 

The US government on Tuesday announced full support for the wall, which according to White House would stop arms smuggling. ‘We believe that weapon smuggling should stop and that measures taken to stop that weapon smuggling should be, could be carried out, yes,’ said State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid.

 

The spokesperson did not address that Gaza population depends on food, medicine and all other everyday needs passed through the tunnels. He did not mention that the tunnels in fact serve as an economic lifeline for the Palestinians.

 

In the past several years, the Israelis tried hard to destroy those tunnels, but have not succeeded at halting the smuggling activities. The regime in Tel-Aviv, soon after the 33-day war on Gaza in December 2008 decided to pressure the Obama administration to convince the Egyptians allow construction of the massive steel wall along its border with the impoverished Gaza Strip, in return for the Egyptian government's  receiving some lucrative financial deals or contracts. Cairo accepted the offer and began the construction in earnest.

 

The proposed steel wall will be about 30 meters high and 10 km long.