Palestinians have dug tunnels under the border between Egypt and Gaza through which an array of goods, some of which are not allowed through Gaza’s border crossings in large quantities or at all, are brought in and out. Though the tunnels have been in existence since the 1990s, tunnel activity significantly increased and became more pubic after Israel’s blockade of Gaza following the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007. Citing to the prevalence of drug and weapons trading through the tunnels, both Israel and Egypt have destroyed and shut down many of the tunnels. For a perspective on the tunnels being a danger to Israel, see “Report: Tunnels increase, Israel concerned.” 21 March 2011. United Press International. 8 June 2011. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/03/21/Report-Tunnels-increas.... For a view of the tunnels being a necessity for Palestinians, see Bartlett, Eva. “No other options:” Gaza’s tunnel industry. The Electronic Intifada. 1 June 2010. http://electronicintifada.net/content/no-other-options-gazas-tunnel-indu.... For a recent assessment of Gaza’s needs and the use of the tunnels, see “One Year After Report: Gaza Early Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment.” 24 May 2010. United Nations Development Program. 22 May 2011. http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/276B3267FDF0A0948525772D0051B669.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/gaza-tunnels