Egypt says it destroyed more than 3,000 Gaza tunnels

Egypt has destroyed more than 3,000 tunnels along its border with the Gaza Strip in the past five years, Egyptian Army Spokesperson Tamer Al-Refai has revealed.

In an interview with the private Egyptian news channel Extra News on Sunday night, he said: “In 2015, the [Egyptian] government took a decision to establish a buffer zone along the border [with the Gaza Strip]. These tunnels were used to threaten Egypt’s national security, including the infiltration of terrorists, smuggling of weapons, ammunition, goods, narcotic drugs and vehicles. We established the buffer zone in stages because residents had to be relocated. They have received compensation.”

Some of the destroyed tunnels were three kilometers long and 30 meters deep, Refai said.

The Egyptian security forces were continuing their “heroic actions to defeat terrorists” in the Sinai Peninsula, he said, adding that 126 terrorists were killed during the recent military operation there.

During the operation, Egyptian security forces seized different types of weapons and explosive belts, Refai said, adding: “We destroyed 630 explosive devices.”

The Egyptian Air Force targeted and destroyed 228 hideouts and shelters used by terrorists, he said. In addition, 116 four-wheel-drive vehicles were destroyed and 266 suspects were arrested.

“The [Egyptian] armed forces are working around the clock to combat terrorism and secure our borders,” Refai said. “We have scored many achievements on the ground, including the destruction of the terrorist infrastructure.”

The announcement concerning the demolition of the tunnels along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt came shortly after the Egyptians announced that 15 officers and soldiers were killed or wounded during anti-terror operations in Sinai.