ISRAEL/PALESTINE

According to reports, a Hamas official has said that it is ready to shut down the smuggling tunnels that operate between Gaza and Egypt if the latter opens the Rafah border permanently. Egypt closed its border with the Gaza Strip following the killing of 16 Egyptian border guards on August 5, 2012. Egyptian officials have vaguely accused Palestinians of having a role in the attack but have not identified any suspects. Hamas officials have said it does not have any proof of a Palestinian role and has condemned the incident. 1

• 1. “Hamas 'ready to close tunnels' if Egypt reopens Rafah”, Maan News Agency, August 6, 2012, at http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=511962