Battles were reported between Egyptian security forces and Sinai gunmen
throughout Jan. 29. They said Bedouins, demanding the release of their
relatives, attacked Egyptian security installations in El Arish, Rafah and
Sheik Zuwaid.
At one point, an explosion breached the wall along the Sinai-Gaza
border. The sources said security forces and Bedouins exchanged automatic
gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
Until recently, Egypt had deployed more than 750 security officers
along the 14-kilometer border with the Gaza Strip. The sources said the
lion's share of the border force was withdrawn by Jan. 29 and that Egyptian
patrols had ended.
"Most or all of the [Egyptian] border posts have been abandoned and
Hamas was believed to have moved near these positions," the source said.
The sources said Hamas units were believed to have been
facilitating the smuggling of fuel and weapons from Egypt.
"The smuggling has been slowed down over the last few days because of
the Bedouin fighting," the source said.
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