igloo Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 October 29, 2003, 8:32 a.m.The Egyptian UndergroundRooting out the terrorists.By Jonathan Schanzer The roadside bomb that killed four Americans recently had to have been imported into the Gaza Strip from someplace. Odds are, it came from underground tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Countless other weapons used in terrorist attacks against Israelis in recent years have also arrived via those same subterranean routes. So, while Egypt may not be directly responsible for the attacks that take place in Gaza, it has indirectly allowed Gaza's terrorists to arm themselves. In other words, it's time for Cairo to see the light, and put an end to the tunnels.Over the last ten years, the Israelis have found 70 or more tunnels originating in Egypt and leading to Gaza. Israeli Engineer Corps have destroyed many, but the Palestinians dig them as fast as they are found. Recently, however, Israel received intelligence indicating that there were at least ten more in operation, and that increasingly dangerous weaponry was being smuggled through them. Alarmed by these reports, the Israelis on October 9 launched Operation "Root Canal," their most ambitious operation yet in the Gaza town of Rafah, where the tunnels empty out. Israel went on the offensive because they know these tunnels are a crucial supply line of weapons for groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The weapons they receive — everything from armor piercing weapons and automatic rifles to mines and rocket-propelled grenades — come from Egypt, Sudan and Libya. Raw materials necessary to build the increasingly accurate Qassam rockets, as well as high explosives for suicide bombings, may have also passed through the tunnels. To ensure the steady stream of weapons, both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, under the coordination of Palestinian Authority officials, facilitate the building and maintaining of the tunnels, which cost about $10,000 apiece to build. But these groups do not shoulder the financial burden alone; reports indicate that the tunnels may also be funded in part by the mullahs of Iran. To protect the subterranean supply lines, the Palestinians (and perhaps Egyptians) burrow their tunnels more than 60 feet beneath the surface to evade Israeli sonar detection equipment. The mouths of the tunnels are equally hard to detect; some actually open up into Palestinians homes in Gaza. According to Israeli sources, there are always three or four tunnels operational at any one time. They are extremely hard to find without good intelligence.To further protect their investments, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have been fighting tooth and nail in recent weeks to repel the Israeli operations in Rafah. The Israelis, for their part, actually distributed brochures to the local population, explaining that their operation was only designed to uncover tunnels. Still, the top Palestinian terror groups have hit the Israelis with everything they can, including grenades, anti-tank missiles and other ordinance.1 Clearly, the battle over tunnels has become central to the wider conflict.Operation "Root Canal" has so far yielded the destruction of at least three tunnels. But the Israelis are still very nervous. The September arrest and subsequent interrogation of a Palestinian Authority Security official revealed to Israeli intelligence that the PA had smuggled in eight anti-aircraft missiles through these tunnels. According to the Palestinian suspect, the missiles were designed to counter Israeli attack helicopters. However, such missiles could be used to target commercial airliners, too.Clearly, these tunnels present one of the gravest threats to regional peace. And equally clear is that these tunnels originate in Egypt, and that Cairo has not done enough to shut them down. To date, Egypt has filled in a handful of tunnels, particularly after sharp complaints from the Israelis. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher recently remarked that Israeli allegations of Egyptian involvement "are old and silly." But one high-ranking Israeli official reports that "in some cases, Egyptian soldiers are directly involved. They receive bribes or other incentives for keeping the tunnels open." Indeed, he personally witnessed smoke and debris plume out of tunnel entrances that began at Egyptian military guard posts.As weapons pour into Gaza, leading to more deaths and injuries, Washington should consider a few practical steps. For one, the US embassy in Egypt should undertake its own survey work along the Egypt-Gaza border to determine what assistance would be necessary to close the tunnels. Once that information is ascertained, the issue needs to be raised to the highest levels. Indeed, the next time President Bush meets with his Egyptian counterpart, Husni Mubarak, a serious discussion of this issue could take place. If Egypt still does not see the light, a team of multinational forces and observers should be considered. — Jonathan Schanzer is a Soref Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted October 29 Author Report Share Posted October 29 These tunnels must be nothing more than a product of Israeli propoganda....After all, Muslim nations with all their differences, and terrorist organizations with their differing agenda's, and SHia's and Sunni's and secularists at each others throats would never cooperate against a common enemy.....after all, it's not like Germany in the 30's...Just wondering what the appeasers and apologists have to say about this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpyrate Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 Since I'm such a 'tard, please explain to me in plain, clear kindergarden English just how exactly do these tunnels affect the safety and security of America? And do not throw in those four Americans who were recently killed because they were not the intented targets, further, Arafat is co-operating in the investigation to apprehend the individuals responsible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr mahs Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 Originally posted by xpyrate Arafat is co-operating in the investigation to apprehend the individuals responsible. :laugh: Yeah keep telling yourself that.. Do you beleive in the Easter bunny too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted October 30 Author Report Share Posted October 30 Originally posted by mr mahs :laugh: Yeah keep telling yourself that.. Do you beleive in the Easter bunny too? I can't even respond anymore to his level of stupidity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramadas Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 Regarding the tunnels - nope, not Israeli propaganda (for once), but still no excuse to demolish homes around that area (unecessarily). Their terrorist tunnels I guess - not much to be said about that.But that does not mean anything - this author is speculating that they came from somewhere. I don't believe this was an act committed by any of the major terror groups, just because they have nothing to gain from it. These people were coming to interview potential Rhodes scholars or something - these guys have nothing to gain from blowing up these people. Now, the people who do stand to gain are the Israelis or the Palestinians' friendly neighbours, the settlers.But one thing this author said I agree with...a team of multi-national forces and observers should be present, both on the Egyptian side and the OT side. WOnder why Israel is so against that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpyrate Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 Originally posted by mr mahs :laugh: Yeah keep telling yourself that.. Well ... That's just what an article I read said. Well, what two articles said.Anyway nobody has answered my question. How do these tunnels affect our national security?I think you're not responding because you can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted October 30 Author Report Share Posted October 30 Originally posted by xpyrate Well ... That's just what an article I read said. Well, what two articles said.Anyway nobody has answered my question. How do these tunnels affect our national security?I think you're not responding because you can't. No one responds to your stupidity because you have the understanding of a two year old.Listen son, first get a handle on Dr Suess, then we will take it from there......one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish....Jump right in- you can do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpyrate Posted October 31 Report Share Posted October 31 Originally posted by igloo No one responds to your stupidity because you have the understanding of a two year old.Listen son, first get a handle on Dr Suess, then we will take it from there......one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish....Jump right in- you can do it! You're just proving my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted October 31 Author Report Share Posted October 31 Originally posted by xpyrate You're just proving my point. Just stop posting....seriously...have some dignity and stop posting...I am sure your local library has a Barney and Friends Saturday show for you..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr mahs Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 Originally posted by igloo Just stop posting....seriously...have some dignity and stop posting...I am sure your local library has a Barney and Friends Saturday show for you..... :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babbo Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 Originally posted by xpyrate Since I'm such a 'tard, please explain to me in plain, clear kindergarden English just how exactly do these tunnels affect the safety and security of America? And do not throw in those four Americans who were recently killed because they were not the intented targets, further, Arafat is co-operating in the investigation to apprehend the individuals responsible. JUST CURIOUS, WHEN YOU LOOK UP TO THE SKY, WHAT COLOR IS THE SUN, THAT you SEE?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramadas Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 Alright guys, lets just stay on topic and lay off the personal attacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr mahs Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 Originally posted by xpyrate Well ... That's just what an article I read said. Well, what two articles said.Anyway nobody has answered my question. How do these tunnels affect our national security?I think you're not responding because you can't. Why would give that rat Arafat an inch of confidence, he will crack down on terrorism? Don't you realise that the longer conflict exists, the longer he retains power. Also don't forget his unsatisfying hunger to embezzel more from palestinain aid to add to his billion dollar net worth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpyrate Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 Well, put it this way, I'll give as much confidence to Arafat as I do Sharon. They have grudges that go way back and I don't think their will be any kind of decline in violence until both parties are ousted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.