Egyptian Police Seize Explosives Near Gaza Border
Egyptian police have found a cache of explosives in Sinai that were probably destined for the Gaza Strip, a security official said. Police seized about 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of TNT, and dozens of mortar rounds and anti-tank grenades on Saturday after a tip-off from local residents near the Gaza border.
“They were probably being prepared for smuggling into Gaza,” the official said. This year, Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, has destroyed dozens of underground tunnels, through which smugglers sent food, fuel and weapons to the impoverished coastal strip. Israel blockaded Gaza last year when the Islamist movement Hamas seized power after days of deadly fighting with the rival Fatah party.
Ahmad Aljoaan
