Egyptian authorities rescued three Palestinians trapped for five days in a smuggling tunnel beneath the Gaza border that was bombed by Israeli planes, officials told Al-Akhbar Saturday.

Rescuers used heavy machinery to dig the three survivors out of a tunnel hit by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday along the Egyptian-Gaza border.

Palestinians use the tunnels to bring food, clothing, fuel and even livestock into the impoverished Gaza Strip, which has been sealed off for nearly two years. Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas fighters seized control of the strip in a battle with their Palestinian rivals in June 2007.

The three survivors were located with the help of maps from smugglers familiar with the elaborate network of the tunnels; they were in weak condition when first rescued.

The three were apprehended and were being questioned by the Egyptian authorities.

Besides Israeli air strikes, deadly tunnel collapses have become frequent as the result of accidents. More than 20 people have been killed in such accidents this year.

Also the Palestinian security officials said the accidental collapse of another border tunnel Saturday left two people dead and four missing.

Posted by our contributor Moeali