Cairo- Egyptian security forces closed three fuel smuggling tunnels near its Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a security source said.

Food was also found inside the tunnels, the source said. The tunnels were empty at the time of their closure, he added.

Police barricaded the area to prevent smugglers from escaping.

Tunnels on the Egyptian border have become common ways to get food and fuel to the Gaza Strip, which Israel blockaded after the militant group Hamas took over Gaza last year.

Israel has demanded that Egypt do more to prevent smuggling into Gaza, and Egypt publicizes its efforts to close the tunnels. (dpa)