Palestinian and Israeli security sources believe there are approximately 15 active tunnels in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, between the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. The tunnels are being used by smugglers to move arms, drugs and people, sources say.

The same sources say there are at least 10 other tunnels in the area that are not in use due to various technical reasons.

There have been several attempts to dig tunnels along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. These tunnels could be used to conduct raids, abduct Israelis or lay explosives.

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The Rafah tunnels are being controlled by the most powerful clans in the area, who consider them a very lucrative source of income.

The various militant organizations use the tunnels to import various types of weapons and explosives.

The United States is demanding in its Benchmarks Plan to Israel and the Palestinians that the latter work to counter the tunnel phenomenon.

Earlier this week, Palestinian security forces uncovered a tunnel in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, close to the border with Egypt. During the operation, Palestinian smugglers opened fire on the security forces.

The commander of the Preventive Security force in Rafah, Yussef Siam, told Haaretz that the tunnel was blocked with a new technique. The security forces dig every 10 meters or so along the tunnel, and then pour reinforced concrete into the holes.

Siam said that this operation is part of a broader anti-tunnel offensive.

The senior officer said that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that intensive efforts be undertaken to counter the tunnel problem.

He also stressed that the Palestinian security forces need sophisticated technology to uncover the tunnels, and added that their efforts were being carried out in coordination with the Egyptians.

The Palestinians provide the Egyptian security forces with information about the location of the tunnel's exit on the Egyptian side of the border, and they seal access to it.

Recently, the Palestinian security forces have identified a new trend in the use of the tunnels: Palestinians wanted for criminal activities are using them to escape abroad. In some cases, criminals in custody manage to escape with the help of their jailers.

Massive police deployment

The general lawlessness and disorder in the Gaza Strip, particularly the southern parts appeared to be the focus of a massive deployment of Palestinian police Wednesday night.

Thousands of Palestinian police reportedly began deploying in Gaza City as part of the first phase of a security plan approved by the cabinet, a Palestinian official said.

About 3,000 police were fanning out across the city, said Nabil Shaath, an aide to Abbas. Details of the plan were vague.

The first duties of the police would be to direct traffic and fight crime, officials said. The overall goal is to put an end to the chaos, clan warfare and violent infighting that has plagued Gaza, officials said.