Israeli Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Dan Halutz said on Tuesday that Israeli troops had located at least 100 entrances to tunnels being dug between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Halutz said that the tunnels were being used to smuggle weapons, including anti-tank missiles. Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Halutz hinted that the option of returning the Israeli army to the area known as the Philadelphi Route is being considered. That, however, appears to be at odds with Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s remarks earlier that day during a tour of the region in which he ruled out any re-occupation of the area. But both men appeared resolute in seeking an end to the arms smuggling. Halutz said the Egyptians needed to do more to prevent it from their side of the border. Analysts at The Media Line point out that removing the Israeli military presence from the Philadelphi Route was perhaps the most contentious aspect of the security debate prior to the unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip one year ago. Tunnels were a problem even under Israel’s direct control and experts warned that without an Israeli presence the phenomenon would mushroom. Then-prime minister Ariel Sharon, however, capitulated to international pressure that demanded a full Israeli withdrawal.