"Whether we live or die, whether we make lots of money or lose it all. That's the game". Six feet under the street where Egypt meets the Gaza strip, three tunnel workers laugh as they compare the conflict between Israel and Lebanon to a cartoon: "it's always Jerry who wins". But their laughter soon stops when Israel's bombs shake the earth. It's December 2008, and Israel's deadly air strikes, which will destroy almost all of the tunnels transporting supplies from Egypt to Palestine, have just begun.

When the worst of the bombing stops, the men emerge from the shells of their former homes with a new fire: "they destroy one [tunnel], and another one appears". Because as long as Israel's embargo stands, stopping even foreign aid from coming into Palestine, the tunnels remain an important symbol of resistance and a matter of pride. "Some tunnels transport weapons," admits Abu Sleeman, but for him, it's just about "bringing back food, so people can survive".

And so with the sirens still wailing in the distance, the men plunge back into the earth to rebuild their 25 foot long tunnel. At the crack of dawn and in the dead of night; always fearing the tunnel's sudden collapse: "nobody touch anything!" And with the constant reminder of Israel's ruthless use of white phosphorous, which burns through bodies in seconds: "it's toxic, we have to get it out!" Dizzied by phosphorous fumes, sweltering, and exhausted, they continue this subterranean journey to Egypt: "are you going to die? Then we have to finish it".

After two months, they finally emerge on the other side in panic: "quick the [Egyptian] police! Turn out the lights!". But they soon realise they're running from their Egyptian accomplices, breaking into the ecstatic laughter of extreme relief. They fall to quibbling about their payment: "less than $7000 split between ten men". And return with a bevy of cement, some cigarettes on the side, and a reluctant goat: "grab his legs!", they cry, "he just has to make it to the other side alive!". Somehow, this action-packed documentary brings a smile to a struggle to survive.