Egypt uncovers smuggling tunnel leading to Gaza Strip

Egyptian authorities discovered a freshly dug tunnel leading under the border to the Gaza Strip and arrested an Egyptian man inside it, a security official said Friday.

Moussa el-Mallahi confessed to police that he used the tunnel to smuggle explosives, money and weapons to gunmen on the other side of the border, said the security official on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give press statements.

Authorities decided not to seal the tunnel in hopes of catching more smugglers attempting to use it, the official added.

Palestinians frequently smuggle weapons and contraband into the Gaza Strip through tunnels, prompting Israel to complain that Egypt does not do enough to stop the smuggling.

Egypt has rejected the allegations but recently said it would make a greater effort to crack down on the

trafficking.