ISMAILIA, Egypt, (Reuters) – Egyptian police in Sinai on Sunday seized 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of explosives that were to have been smuggled into Gaza, a security source said.

Acting on a tip-off, police found 10 plastic bags containing high explosives in the Gifgafa region, 90 km (55 miles) southwest of the large coastal town of al-Arish, said the source, who declined to give his name.

Egyptian police routinely find large quantities of explosives and ammunition in Sinai, sometimes hidden in tunnels near the border with neighbouring Gaza. In July, they seized 1.2 tonnes of explosives after a tip from a Bedouin.