INTERVIEW-Gaza smuggler set up for life thanks to Israel

Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:09am GMT

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* Smuggler says made a fortune from tunnel work

* Expects demand to persist, even as Israel loosens blockade

By Tom Perry

GAZA, July 27 (Reuters) - Demand for Abu Mohammed's smuggling services has fallen in the weeks since Israel announced it would loosen its blockade of the Gaza Strip by letting more goods in.

But he doesn't seem too worried. Aged just 26, he says he is set up for life thanks to three years operating one of the tunnels that have supplied Gaza from Egypt during the embargo, acting as a lifeline for the otherwise sealed-off territory.

"By God, even my father doesn't know how much money I have made," the Palestinian said. "I have more than one bank account. Nothing is in my name in case one day I go to jail."

He declined to meet and would not give his real name in a telephone interview. "Under international law, I am a smuggler."

On a good day, he said his tunnel would make $100,000. Continued...

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