Underground Egypt-Gaza tunnel dubbed 'wall of death'

Underground Egypt-Gaza tunnel dubbed 'wall of death'

www.abc.net.au

There are mounting tensions on the border between Egypt and Gaza over plans by Egypt to cut off the tunnels Palestinians use to circumvent a strict Israeli blockade.

Egypt has begun building a formidable underground wall to block the tunnels once and for all.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
uprootedpalestinian.wordpress.com
realisticbird.wordpress.com
realisticbird.wordpress.com

What is this Wall of Death?

Driving parallel to the borderline between Egypt and Gaza, one can spot the machinery behind the conspicuous wall construction project meant to stop ongoing smuggling through underground tunnels.

Some 80 meters away from the borderline, there were two cranes and a spiral driller. Four trucks loaded with sand and two with iron panels had just arrived on site. The usual silence of the borderland is broken by the sounds of this equipment and the few workers around them. People in the area say the wall will be dug between 18 and 25 meters deep and will extend all the way between the Egyptian-controlled Rafah and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossings with Gaza.

The wall is meant to hack the tunnel structures, which extend from the Egyptian side of the border to the Gaza’s side for distances that range between 400 meters and 1,700 meters. With many prohibitions on the ground, the tunnels have become a lucrative underground alternative. The wall construction portrays the depth of this underground urbanism, bringing the conflict between smugglers and the security to the forefront.

According to the sources a 10 kilometre main pipe will carry water from the sea and distribute it to a comb of pipes planted in the ground about 30-40 meters apart which will be used as a first line of defence against tunnel diggers.

The sources added that the pipes that will be planted in the ground have holes and will regularly irrigate the soil which will cause present tunnels to collapse and will make it harder to dig new ones, and will have detrimental influence on the soil on the Palestinian side while the thirty to 35 meter deep steel wall protects the soil on the Egyptian side from such effects.

The Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for over three years, depends on those tunnels for food, milk, fuel and other essential goods smuggled from the Egyptian side. Not only that but the Egyptian side has also benefited economically from those tunnels.

Result of Wall of Death?

But smugglers in Rafah do not think of the wall as the happy ending of the border turmoil. “Remember when Gazans flooded the border in January 2008? The same will happen when this wall is complete,” said the smuggler in the maqad. In January 2008, gunmen in Gaza shot at positions on the borderline, breaking it open before hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an incident that Egypt considered a threat to its national security. “The next war will be fought in Sinai,” said the smuggler, warning of a possible conflict between Egyptian security and Hamas fighters. “This is exactly what Israel wants.”

Gaza Concentration camp between Berlin Wall and Wall of Death : US military engineers supervise building of the wall of death

A senior Egyptian engineer told the PIC on condition of anonymity that the wall is fully supervised by American military engineers, adding that the blueprints of the wall were prepared about six months ago and its construction started three months ago amid tight security.

Instead of opening blockade to let food and relief material enter Israel/ US and Egypt is closing the last remaining means o close the concentration camp and make it a Death Camp. Eventually, when all Gazans will die due to starvation Israel will make new settlements.

www.abc.net.au
(visit the link for the full news article)

And only to think that ALL that is needed to stop the blockade is to cease the rockets/mortars fire on Israel and exchange one Israeli soldier. No "wall of death", no blockade, normal life.
I understand - evil baby-eating Zionists do all they can to take over the Gaza (they withdrew from few years ago) and then the world and ctr. Wonder why peace-loving positive Hamas is not interested in normal life for people of Gaza.
Edit - clarification.


[edit on 16-1-2010 by ZeroKnowledge]

reply to post by ZeroKnowledge


Yep rocket, mortar, white phosphorous, organ theft, stealing of land, no discrimination etc. But will the history repeat itself this time? Will there be a global movement against the modern Nazis or ZeoNazi and they be brought to justice? That remains to be seen.

Originally posted by December_Rain
The Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for over three years, depends on those tunnels for food, milk, fuel and other essential goods smuggled from the Egyptian side.

The reason for the tunnels is to smuggle in weapons, ammo, explosives and rocket parts etc. used to attack Israel, which is why Hamas is getting upset by the barrier.

If they simply stopped attacking Israel then the border would be open. But Hamas cares nothing for the Palestinian people, prefering to use them as pawns and shields whilst they attack Israel

reply to post by December_Rain


Yes,yes,yes. Israel is bad. Zionists-Nazis, war crimes and ctr.
But i explain to you again - if there will be no rockets mortars on Israel and "fair" exchange of 1 (one) Israeli soldier for 500 (5 hundred) plus Palestinians will be done, there will be NO blockade.
You do not want blockade, right? It hurts people of Gaza right? So if you were in charge of Gaza , facing cruel oppressor and such - what would you do?
The thing is - Hamas is not there for Palestinians. Hamas is there against Israel. Big difference.

reply to post by December_Rain

I recently read a fascinating article that compared the tunnels into Gaza with the drug cartel tunnels of Mexico. The article's printed in the Jerusalem Post and naturally characterizes all those involved as inherently criminal. Despite that, it's probably fairly accurate. The 'snakehead' tunnel owners will be making a huge profit out of these things.

Moreover, Gaza's underground economy is extremely diverse. It is not just weapons being smuggled through tunnels, and the smugglers are savvy businessmen, varying their cargo to meet demand: perfumes, cigarettes, drugs, fugitives (going rate $2,000 per trip), cows and even lions (three are now a part of the Rafah zoo).

Gaza snakeheads and Mexican drug cartels

I'm not really on any side when it comes that perpetual fubar. Anyone with a brain can see there are no moral high horses to be taken. In human rights terms, the whole area is shameful.

Hmm I wonder if they're also trying to poison groundwater, if you have a pipe you can put anything into it.

Nasty stuff.

So, this wall of death is going up to keep smugglers out of Egypt as Israel ratchets up pressure with the blockade? These very smugglers are only humanitarians bringing milk, grain, medicine, and other necessities to the people of Gaza currently in the gauntlet. However, it would be naive to think that only humanitarian efforts are being utilized by such an underground passage way?

It would be safe to surmise that these very tunnels bring contraband as well. Such as, explosive materials, rockets, and assault weapons to continue their bloody war of attrition with the Israelis. Perhaps, as some have mentioned previously, that when Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel, moderate reconciliation can be achieved by both sides?

It is the job of the elected leaders in Israel to prevent violent incursions into the country by Hamas or any terrorist groups. However, there is a flip-side to that coin as well. The Palestinian leadership led by Hamas has a solemn duty to ensure and preserve the safety and survival of their people as well.

Right now, the Hamas leadership are abysmal failures with their rocket attacks and hard-line leanings. Their people are being starved, maimed, and killed. All this to prove a political point with Israel? If the people of Gaza want some semblance of human dignity, they must run the leadership out of office!

After such action is accomplished, form a provisional government or transitional government with fair community leaders until proper elections can be held, and open dialogue with Israel. In accordance with the dialogue, a seize fire or truce would have to be met by both sides. Hamas won't go without a fight and civil war may ensue in Gaza? But, something needs to be done, because I don't see Hamas loosening their stance with Israel. However, I may be clutching for straws, because it is the Middle East we are talking about. However, the killing on both sides has to stop, before any humanitarian overtures can take place in Gaza.

reply to post by Jakes51

These very smugglers are only humanitarians bringing milk, grain, medicine, and other necessities to the people of Gaza currently in the gauntlet.

That statement is an early contender for 'Naive, Idealistic Statement of 2010!' I imagine these humanitarians are selling their products at cost value? The incentive to build and maintain the tunnels (they've been known to have tracks, lights, power) is one of charity?

Those tunnels are about money and politics, wrapped up in religion...same as it always is.

Originally posted by December_Rain
Will there be a global movement against the modern Nazis or ZeoNazi and they be brought to justice? That remains to be seen.

I don't think so. We have all been watching this for years. The plan is obvious. A new wall is laid and set up to kill the tunnelers. The boats are shot at and turned back. They lack water and usable crop land. It is heartbreaking but it looks as though the Palestinians of the Gaza strip will not have to suffer for much longer. I fear that all of the world will only watch and remember.

Originally posted by Kandinsky
reply to post by Jakes51

 

These very smugglers are only humanitarians bringing milk, grain, medicine, and other necessities to the people of Gaza currently in the gauntlet.

That statement is an early contender for 'Naive, Idealistic Statement of 2010!' I imagine these humanitarians are selling their products at cost value? The incentive to build and maintain the tunnels (they've been known to have tracks, lights, power) is one of charity?

Those tunnels are about money and politics, wrapped up in religion...same as it always is.

I said the first comment in jest! Read a little further and I mentioned the sole purpose of such tunnels. However, you bring up good points and I am kind of curious who is funding the infrastructure of these tunnels as you put with: "(they've been known to have tracks, lights, and power)?" I am in agreement with your last remark as well. Politics as usual, gift wrapped with religious undertones.

reply to post by Jakes51
Yeah, I was being a bit of a sarcastic ###hole there! Glad you didn't take it badly. Good manners is usually the best way forward. I agreed with some of your points. Take it easy

reply to post by December_Rain


This is insane in every part, can we the ATS members at least take a stand against such absurdity and insanity. This is beyond insanity and makes me cry to lock innocent people in a small city blocking them from every they goods that we normal people enjoy.

Seriously I can't take this kind of crap any more, it hits my head and makes me emotional.

Why can't the f@cken UN go and intervene, WTF is wrong with the world.

Honestly I rather be ignorant than to know information such as this and not be able to do anything about it. And all you ATS members, all of you are useless bums who sit in your seats all day and argue none sensely about nonsense. Go take a F stand.

Sorry about the abusive words, but seriously how else am I suppose to express my anger? Words can't describe my feelings, except the F word. OMG..

Originally posted by oozyism
And all you ATS members, all of you are useless bums who sit in your seats all day and argue none sensely about nonsense. Go take a F stand.

What do you suggest we do? What are you doing? What can be done? I do not control a military. If you give money to any Palestinian relief groups you go onto a terrorist watch list. If you fly there yourself to take a stand like Rachel Corrie you will meet with the same fate. Some times life is not fair and all we can do is watch. At the very least we can watch with an honest and mournful heart. We can admit that we see it and that it is wrong. We may be powerless to stop the genocide but at the very least we can remember.

reply to post by oozyism


The Gaza situation is insane and shouldn't be taken lightly, but so is launching rockets into Israel against civilians. There are two sides to every coin, however, I think if Hamas stops attacking Israel, maybe an end to the blockade?

If you looked at the entire thread it is not Israel, making the underground barrier, but Egypt. Perhaps, they feel their territorial integrity is being violated with these tunnels, plus, I think it is an overture to Israel as well? Perhaps, the Israeli government is leaning on Egypt to perform such an act. It may be a leverage play.

The blockade is only in effect until Hamas ends the violent incursions and comes to the bargaining table with Israel. However, as the civilians in Gaza remain in hardship and peril, Hamas continues its hard-line rhetoric and violent incursions into Israel. With Hamas's hard-line stance, which remains unbreakable to compromise, Israel is only going strengthen their resolves as such.

It a sad sorry state of affairs, but one of necessity to Israel because the rocket strikes have to stop. The UN will not do anything, or the Unites States, or any other world power. It is business the Palestinian government and Israelis need to work out, and sadly, both sides appear unwilling to talk as each attacks the other. It is a political squeeze play by both sides, and as always, it is the civilian populace that is thrown in the middle of it all.

reply to post by Flakey


My heart is too weak to know and to remember, and they ask me why I smoke the Sh1t that I smoke, I want to forget, about the crimes that have been committed against any and every individual.

That is why I said I would rather be ignorant, but if I really wanted to be ignorant I wouldn't be here in ATS, so ultimately I'm lost.

Once again sorry if I sound angry but really I'm.

One by one we can't do anything, but all together we have a chance.

reply to post by Jakes51


And straight away you defend Israel as if I was blaming anything on Israel. I clearly stated "What is wrong with the world".

I'm going to sleep and forget, and I will share my dream with you tomorrow.

Simple thing I have to keep reminding people "You don't bite the hand that feeds you"

Any questions????

reply to post by oozyism


I was trying to show both sides of the coin, when I commented on your remarks. Apparently, you didn't see my moderate approach to the argument? However, I still believe it is a political adventure by both sides, but at the end of a sword with the civilian populations caught in the middle. In agreement with you about the state of the world, and it has become one big scab, with oceans of puss below.