The New York Times has reported from the US Associated Press Agency, that the underground steel barrier being constructed by Egypt along its border with the Gaza Strip has failed.

The Associated Press Agency quoted an anonymous Egyptian security official as saying that, since construction on the underground barrier began at the end of last year, it has been breached by Palestinians hundreds of times.

The newspaper referred to a video released by the News Agency's television station which showed a Palestinian smuggler operating in one of the underground tunnels which breach the steel barrier after a number of goods smugglers confirmed they do not consider the steel fence a particular threat to their activities.

A few days ago, Dibka Vaile, a website closely associated with Israeli intelligence services, published a story about foreign engineers participating in the construction returning home after confirming the failure of the project.

Source: Palestinians 48