JERUSALEM (xinhuanet)   A tunnel filled with explosives detonated Sundayunder the Israeli checkpoint on the Gaza-Egypt border near the townof Rafah, military officials said.

    There were no immediate reports of casualties.Palestinians have dug many tunnels in the Rafah area. most ofthem under the border to be used for smuggling weapons andcontraband in from Egypt. Several times during four years ofconflict, Palestinian militants have dug tunnels under Israeli basesin Gaza and detonated explosives.

    Palestinians in the area said they heard a loud explosionfollowed by machine gun fire. They said Israeli vehicles wererushing to the scene.