The sources said the Hamas regime has taxed smugglers and tunnel
operators. They said this has led to tension with the powerful clans that
operate the tunnels in the Gaza Strip. Each tunnel, about a kilometer long,
costs about $40,000 and takes six months to build.
The sources said Hamas receives at least $10,000 per day from tunnel
owners. They said Hamas receives about 50 percent of the difference in the
markup of prices from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
Most of those recruited to work in the tunnels are residents of the
Palestinian refugee camp of Rafah. The sources said both young and middle
age Palestinians offer to dig tunnels and face the threat of gas explosions
and tunnel collapse. The tunnel workers maintain radio contact with
supervisors above ground.
"It's a job in which you can die at any moment," a tunnel builder
identified only as Mohammed said.
The leading tunnel builder was identified as Abu Ibrahim, whose real
name was kept secret to prevent retaliation. Abu Ibrahim, 38 and in the
tunnel business for 25 years, was said to be the richest man in the Gaza
town of Rafah. He is regarded as a longtime ally of Hamas.
The sources said Abu Ibrahim helped design a multi-entry tunnel, or a
passage with up to four openings on the Egyptian side. They said this
ensured that any opening found by Egypt in the Sinai portion of Rafah could
be replaced.
Abu Ibrahim has an aide who focuses on weapons smuggling. The aide,
identified only as Abu Yaakoub, has been responsible for the entry of bombs,
missiles, munitions and raw material from Egypt.
The sources said the Hamas ceasefire with Israel has harmed the tunnel
industry. They said prices of basic goods have dropped as the Gaza Strip
receives scores of trucks nearly daily.
As a result, leaders of the tunnel industry have financed missile
strikes on Israel in an effort to shatter the ceasefire. Israel has not
responded.
"It may be good for the Gaza Strip, but it's not good for us," Abu
Yaakoub said.
