Gaza city:
British broadcaster Sky News aired recently filmed footage onTuesday of what it claimed were brand new vehicles being secretlybrought into the Gaza Strip through underground smuggling tunnels.
For the past three years, Israel has virtually banned all exportsincluding vehicles into Gaza and the Israeli government has alsorestricted the import of badly needed construction supplies and rawmaterials for industry.
But in underground tunnels Gazans are reportedly finding an antidote totheir isolation - digging under their border with Egypt and bringing inbrand new Chevrolet that Sky News say have a street value of 45-thousand US dollars.
A price which seems exorbitant considering the poverty that many in the Hamas run Gaza Strip experience.
But Sky News reports that there is a thriving small section of the 1.5 million population that can afford to own these luxurious vehicles.
This could explain why there are water parks, expensive restaurants and shopping malls around Gaza, but those that enjoy this lifestyle are certainly in the minority with the United Nations estimating at least 40 per cent are currently unemployed.
Of those that are employed, a third work for the Hamas led government.
The tunnels often take weeks or months to dig, with the tunnellers sleeping where they work to avoid getting caught.
Some tunnels are only wide enough for ropes to carry in contraband no larger than a rifle.
Others are big enough for a person or even a vehicle.
Israel imposed its blockade of the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants seized power there three years ago.
Israel has said the measures were needed to prevent Hamas from arming, but the blockade has brought Gaza's economy to a virtual standstill.
Under heavy international pressure, Israel has eased the blockade since the outcry following the deadly flotilla raid on the 31st of May which nine Turkish activists, including one with US Citizenship, died after being shot by Israeli commandos boarding their ship.
For the past three years, Israel has virtually banned all exportsincluding vehicles into Gaza and the Israeli government has alsorestricted the import of badly needed construction supplies and rawmaterials for industry.
But in underground tunnels Gazans are reportedly finding an antidote totheir isolation - digging under their border with Egypt and bringing inbrand new Chevrolet that Sky News say have a street value of 45-thousand US dollars.
A price which seems exorbitant considering the poverty that many in the Hamas run Gaza Strip experience.
But Sky News reports that there is a thriving small section of the 1.5 million population that can afford to own these luxurious vehicles.
This could explain why there are water parks, expensive restaurants and shopping malls around Gaza, but those that enjoy this lifestyle are certainly in the minority with the United Nations estimating at least 40 per cent are currently unemployed.
Of those that are employed, a third work for the Hamas led government.
The tunnels often take weeks or months to dig, with the tunnellers sleeping where they work to avoid getting caught.
Some tunnels are only wide enough for ropes to carry in contraband no larger than a rifle.
Others are big enough for a person or even a vehicle.
Israel imposed its blockade of the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants seized power there three years ago.
Israel has said the measures were needed to prevent Hamas from arming, but the blockade has brought Gaza's economy to a virtual standstill.
Under heavy international pressure, Israel has eased the blockade since the outcry following the deadly flotilla raid on the 31st of May which nine Turkish activists, including one with US Citizenship, died after being shot by Israeli commandos boarding their ship.
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