Israel bombs Gaza smuggling tunnel

RAFAH, Gaza, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Israeli warplanes bombed a Palestinian smuggling tunnel along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, officials said Monday.

A military spokesman said the said the aircraft confirmed a hit on the tunnel, which Palestinian sources told The Jerusalem Post was located east of the Rafah border crossing. They said it was the first airstrike in the area since the conclusion of the 22-day Israeli military incursion into Gaza, which began Dec. 27.

Israel said the strike came in response to Qassam rockets fired from Gaza earlier in the day.

The airstrike came as at least 200 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were expected to enter Gaza, with 130 of the vehicles entering through the Kerem Shalom border crossing in the southern part of Gaza, near the area attacked Monday, the Post said.