Corruption Revealed: Smugglers foiled.

This story caught my eye and really showed me that the level of corruption in Gaza is extraordinarily high. According to Reuters, after the wall in Rafah was knocked down, smugglers who were once cashing in on exploiting the people of Gaza, were now out of a job.

Apparently for years, smugglers have been digging an enormous and elaborate system of tunnels which span from Gaza to Rafah Egypt. These tunnels are used to import goods, where smugglers can then charge the people of Gaza fixed prices due to their monopoly. Some of the statements of the smugglers are shocking. One smuggler even seemed disappointed as the breached hole in the Rafah wall would be bad for business.

Since the enforcement of a blockade by Israel against Gaza, the people of Gaza have been unable to gain access to certain products. The blockade has been enforced mainly because the Hamas- controlled government has engaged in violent military attacks on Israel. I would like to believe that the blockade is an effort to strangle the ability of Hamas militants to access weapons and ammunition, but the innocent people of Gaza are being heavily impacted. The blockade has actually punished the innocent people of Gaza by depleting the resources they desperately need. Despite the apparent suffering of their people, Hamas officials remain unwilling to compromise.