Business is booming once again through the tunnel network between the Gaza Strip and Egypt that circumvents the Israeli blockade of Gaza, The Washington Post reported Saturday, December 1. For Israeli leaders, who are seeking assurances since the ceasefire reached November 21 that Hamas be prevented from restocking its potent weapons arsenal, the thriving return of tunnel commerce poses a daunting strategic challenge. Since leaving Gaza seven years ago, Israel’s military has lost its on-the-ground ability to stop tunnel smuggling. Since the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought guarantees from Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi that he will do more to prevent the illegal trade into Gaza — a diplomatic negotiation between uneasy neighbors that in the past has proved fruitless. Without such help, the trade will almost certainly continue.