Smuggling tunnels are secret tunnels, usually hidden underground, used for smuggling of goods (including illegal weapons) and people. Secret passages are sometimes concealed using large items of furniture, such as this reconstruction of the bookcase that covered the entrance to Anne Franks secret room. ... A skirmish with smugglers from Finland at the Russian border, 1853, by Vasily Hudiakov. ... Good. ... A weapon is a tool used to kill or incapacitate a person or animal, or destroy a military target. ...

Smuggling tunnel in Sarajevo, Bosnia

During the Siege of Sarajevo a tunnel underneath the no-man's land of the city's (closed) airport provided a vital smuggling link for the beleaguered city residents. Guns were smuggled into the city and (at what critics said were exploitively high rates) people were smuggled out. The only airplane visible on Sarajevo airport, beyond repair since the beginning of the war. ... This article is about firearms and similar devices. ...

It features in the British film "Welcome to Sarajevo" and the dark Serbian satire of conflict "Underground". Film refers to the celluloid media on which movies are printed. ... The World According To Ronald Reagan - a Finnish satirical poster from 1984 Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subject (for example, individuals, organizations, or states) to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. ...

Smuggling tunnels in Rafah, Gaza Strip

Smuggling tunnels connect Egypt and the Gaza Strip, bypassing the international border established by the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. The tunnels pass under the "Philadelphi buffer zone" (also called "Philadelphi Route" ציר פילדלפי in Hebrew)—an area given to Israeli military control in the Oslo accords in order to secure the border with Egypt. Border stone at Passo San Giacomo between Val Formazza in Italy and Val Bedretto in Switzerland Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, states or subnational administrative divisions. ... The Israel-Egypt peace treaty (Arabic: معاهدة السلام المصرية الإسرائيلية; transliterated: Muahadat as-Salam al-Masriyah al-Israyliyah) (Hebrew: הסכם שלום ישראל-מצרים; transliterated: Heskem Shalom Yisrael-Mizraim) was signed in Washington, DC, United States, on March 26, 1979, following the Camp David Accords (1978). ... The Philadelphi Route (corridor / buffer zone) was an IDF code name for the strip of land along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. ... Hebrew (עִבְרִית ‘Ivrit) is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than seven million people in Israel and Jewish communities around the world. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ... The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles (DOP), were finalized in Oslo, Norway on August 20, 1993, and subsequently officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 13, 1993, with Mahmoud Abbas signing for the...

Purpose of the tunnels

The tunnels connect the Egyptian town of Rafah with the Palestinian refugee camp of Rafah. These tunnels are used to smuggle people, mostly refugees escaping from Israeli attacks, and a wide variety of items, including much needed food, clothes, cigarettes, alcohol, and vehicle parts. With the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada, the tunnels were used mainly for smuggling of weapons and explosives used by Palestinian militants. Rafah (Arabic: رفح Hebrew: רפיח) is a town in the Gaza Strip, on the Egyptian border, and a nearby town on the Egyptian side of the border, on the Sinai Peninsula. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... Refugee camp for Rwandans located in what is now the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following the Rwandan Genocide A refugee camp is a camp built up by governments or NGOs (such as the ICRC) to receive refugees. ... Rafah (Arabic: رفح Hebrew: רפיח) is a town in the Gaza Strip, on the Egyptian border, and a nearby town on the Egyptian side of the border, on the Sinai Peninsula. ... (See also List of types of clothing) Introduction Humans often wear articles of clothing (also known as dress, garments or attire) on the body (for the alternative, see nudity). ... A lit, unashed cigarette A full ashtray. ... In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. ... Vehicles are non-living means of transportation. ... The wreckage of a commuter bus in West Jerusalem after a suicide bombing on Tuesday, 18 June 2002. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ...

Description of the tunnels

The tunnels are dug from basements of houses under the border at depths of up to 15 metres (49 feet), reaching up to 800 metres (2640 feet) in length. The owners of the houses receive a portion of the profits from the smuggling as well as compensation if the tunnel is discovered and the house destroyed. A basement is an architectural contruction that is completely or almost below ground in a building. ... metre or meter, see meter (disambiguation) The metre is the basic unit of length in the International System of Units. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Israeli responses to the tunnels

The Israeli military has used the presence of tunnels to justify the demolition of over 1,600 Palestinian homes in Rafah since the year 2000. Both Human Rights Watch and the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, however, have reported that Israel has refused to use technology that could easily detect and neutralize tunnels at the point where they cross the border. Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using the tunnels as a pretext to demolish homes in order to create a 'buffer zone' along the densely populated border. This article is about the year 2000. ... By the mid 20th century humans had achieved a level of technological mastery sufficient to leave the surface of the planet for the first time and explore space. ...

The tunnels as businesses

The tunnels are run as businesses, mainly by the Abu Samhadana and Abu Rish families, both of Bedouin origin. Smuggling provides tens of thousands of dollars in profits for each delivery. Some sources have also reported financial links to the Arafat family. [1] A business model (also called a business design) is the instrument by which a business intends to generate revenue and profits. ... Jamal Abu Samhadana (1963 - June 8th, 2006), from Rafah in the Gaza Strip, was the founder of the Popular Resistance Committees (which have been held responsible for firing missiles into Israel),[1] a former Fatah and Tanzim member, and number two on Israels list of wanted terrorists. ... Bedouin resting at Mount Sinai Bedouin, derived from the Arabic , a generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arab nomadic pastoralist groups, who are found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via the Western Desert, Sinai, and... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... Yasser Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Muhammad `Abd ar-Rauf al-Qudwa al-Husayni (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known as Abu `Ammar (ابو عمّار), was co-founder and Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969–2004); President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA...

According to one report [2], the cost of smuggling a person from Egypt into the Gaza strip is $1000. A Kalashnikov rifle in the Gaza Strip can cost up to $1000 compared with 2000 Egyptian pounds ($320) across the border. A single bullet costs $3 in Gaza compared with $0.08 in Egypt. Look up Kalashnikov in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A rifle is a firearm with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves (rifling) cut into its interior. ...

As of May 19, 2004 SA-7 Strela-2 shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, AT-3 Sagger anti-tank missiles, and other long-range rockets are reported to be stored on the Egyptian side of the border waiting to be smuggled through tunnels into the Gaza Strip. [3] May 19 is the 139th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (140th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A soldier posing with a Strela launcher The 9K32 Strela-2 (Russian 9К32 стрела-2 - arrow, NATO reporting name SA-7 Grail) is a man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system similar to the US Army REDEYE, with a high explosive warhead and passive infrared... American troops man an anti-aircraft gun near the Algerian coastline in 1943 Anti-aircraft, or air defense, is any method of combating military aircraft from the ground. ... AT-3A Sagger missile The AT-3 Sagger is the NATO reporting name for the 9M14 Malyutka (little or tiny baby) MCLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union. ... An Anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is a missile the primary purpose of which is to hit and destroy tanks. ...

Operation Rainbow

Between September 2000 and May 2004 ninety tunnel egresses leading to a few tunnels connecting Egypt and the Gaza Strip have been found and destroyed by the Israeli Defence Forces. [4]. One of the operations to destroy these tunnels and damage the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza was the controversial Operation Rainbow. This article is about the year 2000. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ... Look up Controversy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary For other uses, see Controversy (disambiguation). ... Operation Rainbow (In Hebrew, מבצע קשת בענן) is a controversial military operation which began on May 18, 2004 in the Gaza Strip. ...

Arafat family connection

It is believed that some of the tunnels were controlled by one of the Palestinian Authority security services under the command of Moussa Arafat, cousin of Yasser Arafat. Until his assassination at the hands of a rival Palestinian faction in 2005, Moussa Arafat was believed to receive a portion of the profits derived from the smuggling tunnels. [5] The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... Moussa Arafat Major General Moussa Arafat al-Qidwi (born Jaffa 1941 -- died Gaza City September 7, 2005) was a cousin of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969–2004); President of... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The American smuggling tunnels

Early history

Shanghai tunnels have been used to smuggle people out of the United States to work as slaves aboard ships. The Portland Underground, or The Shanghai Tunnels as they are more commonly known, are a group of passages running underneath Old Town/Chinatown down to the central downtown section of Portland, Oregon. ...

The long land borders of the United States have always attracted drug smugglers, and countless tunnels have been built.

Post-September 11th U.S. responses to tunnels

Due to the country's restrictive policy on immigration in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and heightened security, many more secret tunnels were built to enter the country from Mexico, most running between Tijuana on the Mexican side and San Diego, California on the American side. The explosion resulting from the crashing of United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower. ... Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California and the seat of the municipality of the same name; the citys current mayor is Jorge Hank Rhon of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney          City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders Michael Aguirre City Council Representatives, Scott...

The prevalent use is drug smuggling, but many other operations have been discovered. About 35 such tunnels have been uncovered.

U.S.-Canadian drug smuggling tunnel

In early 2005, a group of Canadian drug-smugglers took up the idea, and constructed a tunnel between a greenhouse in Langley, British Columbia and the basement of a house in Lynden, Washington. They bought the two properties and began construction work. Authorities were alerted when a neighbour noticed the large-scale construction work being undertaken in the greenhouse. On inspection, it was apparent that tons of construction material were entering, and piles of dirt were coming out. A greenhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ... Langley, British Columbia can mean the following: Township of Langley City of Langley This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Lynden is a city located in Whatcom County, Washington. ...

It became known within a short time by both American and Canadian border authorities that a tunnel was being built. Video and audio devices were installed secretly by customs officials both at the termini and in the tunnel itself. Look up Video in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Audio can mean: Sounding that can be heard. ...

On July 14, the tunnel having been completed, the first packs of marijuana began going through. Officials raided the home soon after and arrested the three men. They then appeared before court in Seattle. July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... Species Cannabis indica Cannabis ruderalis Cannabis sativa Cannabis is a genus of flowering plant that includes one or more species. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Emerald City Location Location of Seattle in King County and Washington Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Washington King County Incorporated December 2, 1869 Mayor Greg Nickels Geographical characteristics Area     City 369. ...

Largest U.S.-Mexican tunnel is discovered

In late January, 2006, the largest smuggling tunnel to date was found on the US-Mexico border. The 2400-foot-long tunnel runs from a warehouse near the Tijuana airport to a warehouse in San Diego. When discovered, it was devoid of people, but it did contain 2 tons of marijuana. It was 5 feet high and up to 90 feet deep. The floor was made of cement and the walls were dried dirt, with lights lining one side and a ventilation system to keep fresh air circulating. Authorities said it was unclear how long the tunnel had been in operation. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The international border between Mexico and the United States runs a total of 3,141 km (1,951 miles) from San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney          City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders Michael Aguirre City Council Representatives, Scott...

On January 30, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a Mexican Citizen, who was linked to the tunnel via the U.S. warehouse, operated by V&F Distributors LLC. On the Friday before, January 27, immigration authorities reportedly received information that the Mexican cartel behind the operation was threatening the lives of any agents involved with the construction or occupation of the tunnel. US Customs and Immigration, however, pledged to protect them as best they can. Authorities suspect Tijuana's ruthless Arellano-Felix drug syndicate, or some other well-known cartel, is behind the tunnel and its operations. [6] January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A cartel is a group of legally independent producers whose goal it is to fix prices, limit supplies and limit competition. ...

The Underground Railroad

The subject of Spiritual songs during the period of the Slavery in the Deep South of the United States of America and Washington D.C., the Underground Railroad was a collective name for the overland routes taken by escaped slaves seeking emancipation in the free states of the Northern United States and Canada. A spiritual is an African American song, usually with a Christian religious text. ... Slavery is a condition in which one person, known as a slave, is under the control of another person, group, organization, or state. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Map of some Underground Railroad routes This page is about the slave escape route. ... Look up emancipation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

See also

• Escape tunnel
• illegal drugs
• smuggling
• Illegal immigration
• Illegal immigration in the United States

An escape tunnel is a form of secret passage used as part of an escape from captivity. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... A skirmish with smugglers from Finland at the Russian border, 1853, by Vasily Hudiakov. ... Illegal immigration describes the long term shift of populations across national borders without complying with the legal requirements. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with United States immigration debate. ...

External links

• Profits drive smuggling in Rafah
• Exposure of Smuggling Tunnels: A Chronology
• "Light at the end of the tunnel" - Maariv writes up over the battles between the IDF, Palestinian terrorists and the residents of Rafah over the smuggling tunnels.
• In pictures: Searching for Gaza's tunnels
• Razing Rafah Human Rights Watch report on use of tunnels as pretext for mass home demolitions
• Secret U.S.-Mexican Border Tunnel (article with text, picture of tunnel, and map)