Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egypt rejects claims that it gassed Gaza tunnels | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

CAIRO (AP) – An Egyptian intelligence official has denied allegations that Egypt pumped gas into a cross-border tunnel used to smuggle goods into the Gaza Strip, killing four Palestinians.

The official said Thursday that security forces blew up the entrances to several tunnels earlier this week. He said Egypt routinely blows up the entrances to seal the tunnels off. He said fires sparked by such explosions could use up all the oxygen in the tunnel and people caught inside could suffocate.

The denial comes a day after Hamas said Egypt killed four Palestinians by pumping gas into a smuggling tunnel.

Egypt has been under pressure to shut down the cross-border tunnels into Gaza.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.