Published on Oct 28, 2013
A Hamas official says the closure of Gaza tunnels by the Egyptian army is inflicting heavy losses on the Israeli-besieged enclave.
Deputy Economy Minister Hatem Oweida said the losses from tunnel closures on industry, commerce, agriculture, transport and construction sectors amount to around 230 million dollars each month. The official noted that Gazans rely on these tunnels to bring in at least 40 percent of their construction supplies and other necessities. He warned that Gaza’s unemployment rate would hit 43 percent if official border crossings remained shut and the tunnels were destroyed. The Egyptian army has destroyed many of Gaza’s underground tunnels since ousting the first democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi in July.
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