Hamas accuses Egypt of flooding Gaza tunnels with wastewater

Associated Press

GAZA CITY // The Hamas government and Gazan smugglers accused Egypt of flooding cross-border tunnels with sewage water in order to halt a thriving smuggling trade.

Abu Saker, a smuggler on the Egyptian side of the border, said he saw the Egyptian army digging new water wells and pumping wastewater towards the smuggling area today. He said he had to halt operations and rush his workers out after his tunnel filled with 1.5 metres of sewage.

At least 15 tunnels were filled with wastewater.

Yousef Rizka, an adviser to Hamas' prime minister, urged Egypt to halt "any acts against the tunnels" until official ground crossings are opened.

Egypt had no comment.

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