The Rafiah tunnel system between Gaza and Egypt are known to facilitate the weapons influx into Gaza. But that is not the only thing they are used for: two recent articles in the British papers 'The Guardian' and 'The Independent' detail the economic upswing that has come about through import of other goods through these tunnels, as well as the consequent stabilization of Hamas' regime.
Gas and oil contraband has skyrocketed and has reached an influx of 15,000 liters of diesel a day. Some of the tunnels have had pipes installed which transfer Egyptian fuel for cars and for cooking, with prices for these products dropping significantly. Cash continues to flow in as well as large amounts of food. As a result of the tunnel work, and in contradiction to Hamas propaganda, not only is there no lack of food in Gaza, there is actually a surplus of some food products.
Israeli security officials say that there is a heightened Egyptian offensive against these tunnels which has managed to shut down a few tunnels and capture the operators. However, the effort is not nearly enough to stem the growing tide of the tunnel industry. One of the tunnel operators, whose tunnel is a mere 200 meters from an Egyptian guard tower, told the 'Guardian' that he imports "anything you can imagine." The mayor of Rafiah, Isa Al-Nashar told the 'Guardian' that there are currently 400 tunnels operating in Rafiah, though some say the figure is closer to 600.
One of the tunnel operators told the 'Independent' that tunnel makers use Google-Earth to find a proper place to dig a new tunnel, and with the help of a collaborator on the Egyptian side, they are able to evade Egyptian security. Hamas uses these tunnels to bring in weaponry and terrorists as well as cash, fuel, and food. There is even a terrorist export system as Hamas sends out terrorists through the tunnels to attack Israel.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) reported that on September 21, its officers apprehended Gamal Abu-Duaba as he snuck into Israel through the Egyptian border. He told interrogators that he was sent from Rafiah into Egypt by Hamas with the intent to cross the Egyptian border into Israel and to kidnap an Israeli soldier.