ISMAILIA, Egypt, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Egyptian security men found packages containing 500 kg (1,100 lb) of TNT on Tuesday in a mountain hideout in north Sinai that were probably meant to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip, security sources said.

They said that security men, responding to a tip-off, had found the explosives contained in 12 plastic packages in the hideout that appeared to have been used many times previously. No arrests were made.

The Egyptian authorities publicise their activities to stop smuggling and illegal crossings at the Gaza border following repeated Israeli complaints that they were not doing enough to prevent arms and explosives from reaching Palestinian militants.

Gaza has been under the control of the Islamist movement Hamas since June, when it drove out political rivals Fatah -- who are favoured by Israel, Egypt and the United States.

The Egyptian government says it is doing its best to patrol the border with the personnel it is allowed to deploy there under the 1979 peace treaty and a subsequent agreement with Israel. (Reporting by Yusri Mohamed; Writing by Cynthia Johnston; Editing by Charles Dick)

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