Gaza Strip: An Egyptian security official says an underground steel wall built by Egypt to stop smuggling under its border with Gaza has been breached hundreds of times.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.
On Thursday, footage filmed by Associated Press Television News showed one smuggler cutting through the barrier with a blow torch.
Smugglers say the wall was never a serious obstacle and that they are more concerned about consumer goods coming in through legitimate crossings now that Israel has eased the Gaza closure.
Hundreds of tunnels run under the border. They are used to import goods as well as weapons for Hamas.
Last year, Egypt started building the wall to stop smuggling.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, July 22, 2010, 18:11