Report: Egypt will work with US to build underground barrier at Gaza border if deal reached

Egypt has sent a message to Israel that if an agreement for a hostage deal and ceasefire is reached, Cairo will work with the United States to help build a high-tech underground barrier to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza, Army Radio reports.

According to the report, Egypt says work on the barrier can begin during the first days of the potential truce.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a list yesterday evening of what he said were nonnegotiable Israeli demands for an agreement, including the prevention of the smuggling of weaponry from Egypt to Gaza.

Troops have discovered at least 25 cross-border smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza. The existence of some of the tunnels was previously known to the IDF, and others were discovered for the first time when troops entered the border area.