Did Egypt really pump gas into Gaza tunnels?

[Puppycow]

There have been threads in the past on this topic, but it occurred to me that at the time I simply accepted the premise that Egypt did pump gas into the tunnels as a fact, although Egypt has denied this. Then I remembered that people often die in manholes from gas without some villain intentionally putting it there.

So is this just an urban legend or a misinterpretation of an accidental phenomenon, or did Egypt really pump gas into the Gaza tunnels?

 

[marksman]

There's no way to know for sure because neither Hamas nor Egypt are particularly reliable sources of information. It was reported by MSNBC, ABC, and other news organizations. The Associated Press reports a source from Egypt told them that Egypt regularly blows up tunnels, which could have caused suffocation. Egypt is not reported to have taken any precautionary measures to ensure the tunnels are clear before blowing them up.

So, at a minimum, Egypt seems to be supremely indifferent to whether their operations cause a loss of life in Gaza. Did they gas the tunnels? No way to know for sure, but I'm not certain what ethical difference there is between gassing tunnels that may have people inside and detonating tunnels that may have people inside.

 

[theprestige]

... I'm not certain what ethical difference there is between gassing tunnels that may have people inside and detonating tunnels that may have people inside.

Depends what kind of gas they used, doesn't it? Are we talking tear gas, or mustard gas?

 

[marksman]

Whatever gas it was, it is alleged that it cause the occupants of the tunnels to suffocate. I'm not sure the specific chemical composition matters at that point, unless Egypt incompetently thought the gas would not cause suffocation.

But Egypt denies gassing the tunnels with any type of gas. A government official admits they detonate the tunnels, causing collapses that might trap and suffocate occupants. Is that really any better than pouring gas into the tunnels to suffocate occupants?

 

[Darth Rotor]

But Egypt denies gassing the tunnels with any type of gas. A government official admits they detonate the tunnels, causing collapses that might trap and suffocate occupants. Is that really any better than pouring gas into the tunnels to suffocate occupants?

Yes. It is better. Something goes "boom" which is usually good fun.