In pictures: Gaza's tunnel smugglers

UN officials say the construction and use of smuggling tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt has grown to such an extent that it now amounts to an industry.

According to the UN, the many tunnels have become a lifeline for Gaza, because of Israel's blockade on the territory's borders. The tunnels employ thousands of Palestinians.

The tunnels are used to smuggle a wide variety of products into Gaza - including cigarettes, food, fuel, fridges and clothes which are for sale in the border town of Rafah.

Rafah even boasts its own zoo - called the Heaven of Birds and Animals - whose exhibits are almost entirely animals smuggled across or under the border by intrepid tunnellers.

Last month, Hamas authorities in Gaza introduced regulations to license and control trade through the tunnels, even supplying phone and electricity connections.

Egyptian police regularly seize tunnel-making equipment along the border with the Gaza Strip near the Rafah crossing.

But on the Gaza side of the border, in Rafah town, the equipment is readily available from street traders who sell their wares out of wheelbarrows.

Israel says the tunnels are also used to import arms. It has repeatedly criticised Egypt for not doing enough to stop the smuggling.

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