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Israeli warning on Gaza tunnels Gaza smugglers get back to work
(about 6 hours later)
Israel has warned of renewed military strikes on Gaza if tunnels used for smuggling in goods from Egypt are reopened by Palestinians. Hundreds of Palestinians are starting to repair tunnels in Gaza that are used for smuggling in goods from Egypt.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the situation could not return to how it was before Israel's 22-day offensive in Gaza, which ended last Sunday. Israel, which ended its 22-day offensive last Sunday, has warned of renewed military strikes on the strip if the tunnels are reopened.
But media reports say that some of the tunnels are already back in operation, with fuel being smuggled in. Residents along the border say food, fuel and other goods are moving through the several dozen tunnels that are still operational.
Diplomats are continuing talks in Egypt aimed at finding a lasting truce. Meanwhile, attempts continued in Egypt to find a lasting truce.
Destroying the network of tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt was one of Israel's main aims when its offensive began in late December. The talks, with an Israeli envoy Amos Gilad, were expected to focus on stemming arms smuggling across the border.
The Israelis say the tunnels are used to smuggle weapons in to militants from Hamas, but the Palestinians argue that Israel's tight control of their borders means the tunnels are the only way they can get enough fuel and basic goods to survive. 'Hamas trying to rearm'
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday that 150 tunnels had been destroyed during the Gaza assault. Destroying the network of tunnels was one of Israel's main aims when its offensive began in late December.
The Israelis say they are used to smuggle weapons in to militants from Hamas, but the Palestinians argue that Israel's tight control of their borders means the tunnels are the only way they can get enough supplies to survive.
Journalists on the border report that the smugglers are actively working but say that it is impossible to assess if Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups have resumed their smuggling operations.
CONFLICT IN FIGURES More than 1,300 Palestinians killedThirteen Israelis killedMore than 4,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza, more than 20,000 severely damaged50,000 Gazans homeless and 400,000 without running water Special report: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsCONFLICT IN FIGURES More than 1,300 Palestinians killedThirteen Israelis killedMore than 4,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza, more than 20,000 severely damaged50,000 Gazans homeless and 400,000 without running water Special report: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
Before their offensive in Gaza was over, Israeli officials had said they had destroyed 60% to 70% of the tunnels. But Israel says it believes Hamas is trying to rearm.
But media reports now say that some tunnels are already back up and running. Mark Regev, Israeli Government spokesman, said: "What is important is that there is today an international coalition; America, Europe, Arab governments will act in unison to prevent Iranian rockets from reaching the Gaza Strip, to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.
TV images on Wednesday showed a truck being filled with petrol, apparently smuggled in through a tunnel. "Hamas will not be allowed to rearm."
And on Thursday, one tunnel owner told Reuters: "Soon it will be operational, I will not bring drugs or weapons, I plan to use it to bring in what people need most - food and fuel, and that is very profitable." One tunnel owner told Reuters: "I will not bring [in] drugs or weapons, I plan to use it to bring in what people need most - food and fuel, and that is very profitable."
Israel bombed the tunnels heavily during its offensive, and Ms Livni was clear that Israel would not tolerate the resumption of smuggling. He told the news agency, he and three partners had paid $40,000 (£29,177) to build their supply line.
"Things must be clear - Israel reserves the right to react militarily against the tunnels once and for all," the AFP news agency quoted her as saying. "We have to make a living. We are still young and we have no other job except in the tunnels."
"If we have to act, we will do so, we will exercise our right to legitimate defence, we will not leave our fate... to the Egyptians, nor to the Europeans nor to the Americans." Reconstruction struggle
Sticking point Before their offensive in Gaza was over, Israeli officials said they had destroyed 60% to 70% of the hundreds of tunnels.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical workers in Gaza City said at least two people had been wounded in shelling by an Israeli gunboat. Israel bombed the tunnels heavily during its offensive. The AFP news agency quoted Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni saying: "Things must be clear - Israel reserves the right to react militarily against the tunnels once and for all."
And diplomats gathered in Cairo were continuing their efforts to find a lasting ceasefire agreement for Gaza, with the issue of smuggling at the top of their agenda. Meanwhile, during a visit to the Gaza Strip, the United Nations humanitarian envoy, John Holmes, said the situation there was "extremely shocking".
Israel is expected to urge Egypt to put an end to the practice, while Hamas is likely to demand that Israel relaxes its control over Gaza's borders. Mr Holmes is on the first of a five-day trip to the region. He said that without freedom of access to Gaza, for goods and people, the reconstruction effort would struggle.
At least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured in the Israeli operation, which began on 27 December, Palestinian medical sources in Gaza say. Low-level violence on both sides has marred the cease-fire. Palestinian medical workers in Gaza City say at least two people were wounded in shelling by an Israeli gunboat.
Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, have been killed, the Israeli army says. Restrictions lifted
In Cairo, the issue of border crossings was one of the most contentious, as an Israeli envoy, Amos Gilad, held talks with Egyptian mediators. Hamas officials are expected in Egypt in the coming days.
Israel also says it is lifting the restrictions it has imposed on international journalists entering the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli defence ministry says the normal passage of journalists from Israel to Gaza, at the Erez crossing, would be allowed from Friday. Israel has been restricting access to Gaza for many weeks, and further tightened access after launching its military operations.