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Weapons Smuggling Tunnels in Rafah
May 18 , 2004
What Are Arms Smuggling Tunnels?
[click to enlarge]
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.
The area along the "Philadelphi Route," between the Palestinian and Egyptian towns of Rafah, has been used during recent years as the main pipeline for transporting weapons and ammunition into the Gaza Strip. These arms are then used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Almost a thousand people have been killed - 70% of them civilians -by Palestinian terrorism since September 2000, and some 6,300 people were injured.
Since January 2003, large quantities of weapons have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip, including:
- Dozens of RPG rockets and launchers
- Hundreds of kilograms of explosives to be used for bombings attacks
- Hundreds of rifles (mainly AK- 47 Kalashnikovs)
- Tens of thousands of bullets and other ammunition to be used in shooting attacks
- Thousands of cartridges- In 2002, 33 tunnels were uncovered and destroyed by the IDF.
- In 2003, 45 tunnels were uncovered and destroyed by the IDF.
- In 2004, 11 tunnels have so far been uncovered and destroyed by the IDF.
- Approximately 10-11 tunnels are believed to still be operational.
Why Were These Tunnels Built?
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 Palestinian Authority's lack of action against terrorists elements in the 1990's compounded the Islamists' influence.
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. more
Who Is Building And Using The Tunnels?
> Hamas: 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 - which transport weapons throughout the Gaza Strip via the Rafah tunnels. It also carries out hostile terrorist activity against IDF forces in the area.
> The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: During the current armed conflict, the PFLP has smuggled weapons and explosives to the Gaza Strip. This effort is aided by Iranian officials, as part of Iranian efforts to bolster the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Iranian officials have smuggled weapons to the PFLP, and maintain close contact with supporters based in Egypt.
> The role of the Palestinian Authority: The Palestinian Authority has aided the above-mentioned terrorist groups since the beginning of the current armed conflict. For example, the Palestinian Authority has encouraged residents to conceal tunnels in their homes. The Palestinian Authority grants benefits and promises the construction of a new house to any family whose house was demolished because it sheltered an arms smuggling tunnel. 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.
The Demolition of Palestinian Structures Used for Terrorism - Legal Info
A tunnel uncovered in a Rafah home
Israeli security forces have sought to find new effective and lawful counter-measures that would minimize the occurrence of terrorist attacks in general, and suicide terrorism in particular, and to discourage potential suicide bombers. more
The Toll Exerted by Palestinian Terrorism on Israel's Society - 977 people have been killed by Palestinian violence and terrorism since September 2000.
- Between September 29, 2000 and May 1, 2004, Magen David Adom treated a total of 6,314 casualties as follows: 847 killed, 549 severely injured, 784 moderately and 4,134 lightly injured, among them 11 MDA staff members.
