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Gazans work to reopen tunnels bombed by Israel

Israel's military said it had accomplished its objectives while Hamas claimed victory after the two sides exchanged deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks for over a week.
Israel's military said it had accomplished its objectives while Hamas claimed victory after the two sides exchanged deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks for over a week.Bernat Armangue / AP
A Palestinian worker shovels sand as he repairs a damaged smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 26, 2012.
A Palestinian worker shovels sand as he repairs a damaged smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 26, 2012.Mohammed Salem / Reuters

By NBC News staff and wire reports:

Palestinians wielded shovels and planks Monday to reopen tunnels used to smuggle in goods from Egypt to the Gaza Strip after Israel's eight-day offensive against Hamas. Israeli airstrikes have heavily targeted the network of tunnels, which smugglers use to bring in various items -- including food, fuel, construction materials and weapons -- to Gaza's 1.6 million residents.

While many Gazans depend on the tunnels for basic food and supplies, the underground facilities have also been crucial to arming Hamas and other militant groups. Full Story

An excavator operates at the site of a destroyed smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 26.
An excavator operates at the site of a destroyed smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 26.Mohammed Salem / Reuters
A Palestinian smuggler waits for a cart containing gravel inside a smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah.
A Palestinian smuggler waits for a cart containing gravel inside a smuggling tunnel dug beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah.Mohammed Salem / Reuters
Palestinians take a cigarette break as they work inside a smuggling tunnel beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah.
Palestinians take a cigarette break as they work inside a smuggling tunnel beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah.Mohammed Salem / Reuters
Israel's military said it had accomplished its objectives while Hamas claimed victory after the two sides exchanged deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks for over a week.
Israel's military said it had accomplished its objectives while Hamas claimed victory after the two sides exchanged deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks for over a week.Bernat Armangue / AP

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