Egyptian security forces seize fuel bound for Gaza
Published yesterday (updated) 19/05/2012 21:20
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=487258

EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Egyptian forces on Saturday seized two vehicles
in the Sinai peninsula with fuel destined for the Gaza Strip, security
sources said.

The vehicles had broken through a checkpoint between the city of El-Arish
and Sheikh Zweid before Egyptian security fired at their tires, bringing the
vehicles to a halt.

One of the vehicles was carrying 1,100 liters of fuel in nine barrels and 10
jerrycans. The other vehicle contained 900 liters of petrol destined for
sale on the black market.

The drivers admitted to police that they were delivering the fuel to
smugglers who would transport it into the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Egyptian security forces seized four vehicles transporting
unlicensed fuel in the northern Sinai.

In early May, security forces confiscated a truck in the Sinai carrying 10
thousand liters of fuel headed to tunnels under the border with Gaza Strip.

Egypt moved in February to shut down fuel deliveries to Gaza via the tunnel
network -- used to bring goods into the blockaded coastal strip -- sparking
a fuel shortage that caused widespread blackouts.

Officials have already agreed to stave off the electricity blackouts by
upgrading the sole power plant, a project due for completion this month.