Egypt raises alert as Hamas plans to protest new Gaza barrier

Egypt security forces along the border with the Gaza Strip have raised their readiness level over a Hamas rally planned for Monday, organized to protest the a new underground barrier, Israel Radio quoted a Sinai-based German news agency as saying on Sunday.

The barrier, which is to be comprised of enormous slates of steel, reaching deep into the ground, is meant to aid security forces in preventing cross-border smuggling tunnels.

On Saturday, security officials said Gazans shot at Egyptians installing the underground metal barrier meant to seal cross-border smuggling tunnels.