Hamas Charges Egypt Gassed Smuggling Tunnel, Killing Four

Hamas officials on Wednesday charged Egypt with using poison gas to clear out workers from a smuggling tunnel dug between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, killing four and wounding six in the process. Egypt has used gases designed for use in dispersing crowds before, but if Hamas allegations are correct, this is the first time a toxic substance might have been used. Medical personnel are quoted as citing the cause of death as suffocation. A statement issued by Hamas said, “The Interior Ministry confirms that the citizens’ cause of death was the Egyptian security forces spraying poison gasses into one of the tunnels."  The Associated Press quoted Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum as saying, "It was a killing in cold blood.” Hamas is demanding that Egypt investigate and reveal all details of the incident.