Egyptian security forces destroyed a number of underground tunnels in Sinai running from Egypt to the Gaza Strip on Saturday (August 24).<br/> <br />The move comes days after suspected Islamist militants killed 24 off-duty soldiers.<br/> <br />The number of attacks on security forces in the lawless desert region has jumped since the military deposed former President Mohamed Mursi.<br/> <br />In a similar crackdown on tunnels last month, the United Nations said around 80 percent of the tunnels had been demolished.<br/> <br />The tunnels act as a lifeline for people living in Gaza, providing goods such as fuel and food.<br/> <br />Israel still maintains strict control of all imports into Gaza to prevent arms reaching Hamas, which refuses to recognise the Jewish state and has often clashed with it.<br/> <br />Under international accords, merchandise cannot be imported via Egypt.
