GAZA, March 2, 2011 (WAFA) - A Palestinian died Wednesday in the smuggling tunnels of Rafah after a barrel fell on his head, according to The Palestine Telegraph.

The victim, Abdel Aziz el–Shaer,21, was removed to Abu Yousif Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah city.

More than 150 Gazans have been killed in similar incidents, electric shock or collapse in the tunnels.

As Israeli siege upon the Gaza Strip increases the rate of poverty and unemployment, a number of Palestinians depend on tunnels to support their livelihood by bringing in basic goods prevented by Israeli authorities since 2007, when Hamas seized control of Gaza.

Israeli forces repeatedly attack tunnels under the Gaza – Egypt borders, claiming that Palestinian militants try to smuggle weapons to be used against Israeli settlements.

M.N./F.J.