Two tunnel families shooting each other in Rafah, Egypt

Two competing family owners of Gaza smuggling tunnels have escalated their war with each other on the Egyptian side of Rafah.

Five people have been injured in recent days from gunshots between the clans. There have also been kidnappings.

Witnesses say that the families shoot at each other during the afternoons.

The families have installed machine guns on the roofs of their houses. Some Palestinian Gazans go through the tunnels to help with the fighting.

The report says that there is effectively no police presence in Rafah since the Egyptian Revolution; the military guards the border and the entrances to the city only.

The tunnel trade to Gaza remains lucrative and strong as ever.