Egyptian police uncover desert caches of weapons bound for Gaza’s smuggling tunnels
By Ashraf Sweilam, APSaturday, August 28, 2010
Egyptian police find weapons bound for Gaza
EL-ARISH, Egypt — An Egyptian security official says police in the Sinai desert have discovered two large caches of weapons that were to be smuggled to Gaza.
The find included anti-aircraft weaponry, the official said, but he did not know what type.
Egypt has tried to stop smuggling through tunnels under its border with Gaza, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since Hamas seized control there in 2007. Besides weapons for Gaza’s militants, the tunnels have also supplied goods for Gaza’s largely impoverished population. Israel recently eased restrictions.
The security official says the weapons included ammunition, anti-tank mines and machine guns.
He spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media.
