CAIRO: Egyptian security sources deny Israeli claims regarding the smuggling of large quantities of weapons into Gaza through tunnels between Egypt and Israel. They denied this after a report was published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz about the smuggling of large quantities of weapons into the Gaza Strip through the Sinai Peninsula. Security forces claimed that these rumors are unfounded. They added that the Egyptian security apparatus have a strong grip on the borders, roads leading to Rafah crossing, the Suez Canal Bridge leading to Sinai, and in the entrances and exits of Sinai. The sources said that these Israeli claims came against the backdrop of Egypt hosting a global conference that calls for the choice of resistance and support of Palestine. Haaretz said that recent months have seen a marked increase in the number of arms being smuggled into the Gaza Strip, especially in the wake of Egyptian security forces losing control over the Sinai Peninsula. The newspaper added that rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, developed module, anti-tank missiles and possibly anti-aircraft missiles were being smuggled. It also reported that regarding Hamas, anti aircraft missiles could affect flights carried out by Israeli fighter jets and helicopters flying top of the Gaza Strip.
