In Gaza’s smuggling tunnels, Egypt’s interests trump Brotherhood ties - CSMonitor.com
►http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/1015/In-Gaza-s-smuggling-tunnels-Egypt-s-interests-trump-Brotherhood-ties
Egypt began destroying tunnels as part of a security crackdown in the Sinai after militants attacked an Egyptian army checkpoint near Rafah on Aug. 5, killing 16 Egyptian soldiers before crossing the border to attack Israel.
The operation has slowed the tunnel trade, leading to price increases in #Gaza on items like building materials and food. The Hamas government has protested the closure of tunnels, but it has also used the opportunity to press Egypt to allow legal trade between the two sides and abolish the tunnels entirely.
While Hamas, an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, might have expected a friendlier partner across the border when the Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi became president, President Morsi has rebuffed the request for a free trade zone while clamping down on smuggling.