Egypt rejects claims that it gassed Gaza tunnels

[April 29, 2010]  CAIRO (AP) -- An Egyptian intelligence official has denied allegations that Egypt pumped gas into a cross-border tunnel used to smuggle goods into the Gaza Strip, killing four Palestinians.

The official said Thursday that security forces blew up the entrances to several tunnels earlier this week.

He said Egypt routinely blows up the entrances to seal the tunnels off. He said fires sparked by such explosions could use up all the oxygen in the tunnel and people caught inside could suffocate.

The denial comes a day after Hamas said Egypt killed four Palestinians by pumping gas into a smuggling tunnel.

Egypt has been under pressure to shut down the cross-border tunnels into Gaza.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

[Associated Press; By ASHRAF SWEILAM]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.