Dec 09, 2009

BBC: Egypt installing U.S.-made wall to thwart Gaza smuggling

To cut smuggling tunnels into the Gaza Strip, Egypt is installing an impenetrable U.S.-made metal wall that will stretch about seven miles and extend nearly 60 feet into the ground, the BBC is reporting.

The wall was designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is bomb proof and cannot be cut or melted, the BBC says, citing intelligence sources in Egypt. About two miles have been installed so far along an existing perimeter fence, with completion taking 18 months.

No comment from the Egyptian government, the BBC says.

Scores of tunnels have been dug to circumvent an Israeli blockade of Gaza. Smugglers bring everday goods, people, livestock and building materials, but also guns, explosives and missile components that are used against Israel.

The new wall won't stop smuggling but will force Palestinians to dig much deeper.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... muggling/1