The Gaza Ministry of Interior and National Security redeployed forces along the frontier with Egypt in a plan to increase control over the border area.

Ministry spokesman Iyad al-Bazm said that the deployment was a confirmation of Egypt’s security and of the stability of the border zone.

Al-Bazm added that the deployment coincided with a planned tour of the southern Gaza Strip border area by leaders of the Interior Ministry and of “Islamist and national” forces.

Relations between Egypt and Gaza have been tense for years, as Egypt accuses Hamas of supporting insurgents in the Sinai Peninsula — allegations Hamas strongly denies.

Egypt has destroyed and flooded hundreds of the tunnels as part of an ongoing security campaign in the northern Sinai Peninsula against anti-regime militants launching attacks on Egyptian police and military personnel.

Palestinians in Gaza have relied on underground smuggling tunnels across the Egyptian border since 2007 when Israel imposed a stringent military blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control there.

The tunnels have since provided a vital lifeline for the besieged territory’s more than 1.8 million residents.

(MAAN)