Gaza’s Illicit Smuggling Tunnels Are Being Dug by Children

Gaza Tunnels (2008): Meet the children risking their lives to supply Hamas with weapons. For similar stories, see: The Human Impact Of Gaza’s Blockades Young Palestinians Are Challenging Their Country’s Leadership Israeli Squatters are Forcing Palestinians Out of Their Homes Subscribe to journeyman for daily uploads: For downloads and more information visit: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Follow us on Instagram: Most of Hamas’’ weapons are smuggled into Gaza through tunnels from Egypt. These tunnels are at the heart of the conflict with Israel. It is children who usually dig these tunnels, aware they are in constant danger. Every night, 14 year old Said scrambles down a narrow shaft leading to a tunnel. He’’ll spend the next eight hours digging without a break. It’’s claustrophobic, difficult work. The heat in the tunnel is unbearable and the more they advance, the harder it becomes to breathe. At any moment, the tunnel could come crashing down, burying them alive. And that’’s not the only danger: “Sometimes the Egyptians shoot gas into the tunnel that might kill us”,“ states Ramdan. “There are risks of electric shocks and the Israelis might bomb the entrance”. Since Hamas seized control of Gaza, the borders have been closed. The tunnels are the only way to import goods into the territory. ““They’’re a gold mine!“” states Said. But to his disgust, most of the profits go to other people. ““We do all the work, then they swindle us”,“ he complains. Once the tunnel is nearly ready, “other people will open it, do the trafficking and make more money than us”. The money he does make will enable Said to support his entire family. But every time he goes into the tunnel, he knows: ““You are digging your own grave”.“ Playprod – Ref. 3847 Journeyman Pictures is your independent source for the world’s most powerful films, exploring the burning issues of today. We represent stories from the world’s top producers, with brand new content coming in all the time. On our channel you’ll find outstanding and controversial journalism covering any global subject you can imagine wanting to know about.