Cairo  - Egyptian police on the Gaza Strip border exchanged gunfire with three smugglers attempting to bring fuel and food to the strip, Cairo sources said Thursday.

The three Egyptian smugglers and one policeman were wounded in the exchange. All the wounded were taken to hospital.

The incident occurred at a tunnel used by smugglers located north of the Salahaddin gate at the Rafah crossing point on the Egyptian- Israeli border.

Smuggling of food, weapons and fuel to Gaza strip has become commonplace in the wake of the Gaza blockade by Israel which has caused shortages of basic commodities, such food, medicine and fuel for Palestinian residents. (dpa)