GAZA, July 16 (RIA Novosti) - Egyptian border guards have blown up several tunnels under the border with Gaza, destroying several houses in the process, eyewitnesses told RIA Novosti.
The explosions caused panic among local Palestinians, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes. Spontaneous protests broke out on both side of the border, but were suppressed by Egyptian police.
No casualties have been reported.
Israel says the hundreds of tunnels under the desert border between Gaza and Egypt are used by militants to smuggle weapons. However, Palestinians say they are needed to bring in essential supplies including food, clothes, medicine and fuel. Israel maintains a blockade on the crowded enclave, which it says is needed to prevent arms smuggling.
According to a Red Cross report released in late June, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains desperate, with entire neighborhoods lying in rubble since Israel's 22-day offensive at the start of the year.
