Israel syas it has destroyed tunnels for smuggling into Gaza

The Israeli army has destroyed what it says were secret tunnels dug under the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt.

A spokesman said the action was necessary to ensure that they could not be used for any purpose.

Several tunnels said to have been discovered in the same region were destroyed last year.

The Israeli army says the tunnels are used to smuggle weapons and drugs into Gaza and other Palestinian sefl-rule areas.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service