Israel Foils Terror Tunnel Infiltration Near Jerusalem

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security agency have uncovered a clandestine tunnel near Jerusalem, designed for terrorists to infiltrate the city and carry out attacks. The tunnel, located in the Giva'on and Giv'at Ze'ev area, was discovered and blocked by IDF and Border Police (Magav) forces. According to an investigation revealed on Thursday, September 10, the disguised entrance to the tunnel was situated near the Arab village of Al-Jib, as reported by the police press service. Soldiers found that the tunnel ended only about five meters short of the security barrier. Experts believe its construction began relatively recently.

The tunnel was initially found on August 28 during intelligence and operational activities. Security forces later observed the suspected entrance and apprehended a suspicious man carrying excavation tools. The commander of the regional Magav battalion, Eliyahu Tubol, stated that attempts to enter Israel under the guise of seeking work do not preclude terrorist intentions and require extreme caution. He noted this is not an isolated incident, recalling a similar discovery about ten months prior where a cesspool was used to tunnel under the border fence. Tubol mentioned that similar attempts have been identified near Qalandia and Kafr Aqab.

In the August 28 case, a dried-up underground water cistern was used for the tunnel's construction. "We noticed a young man who came to dig and apprehended him at the scene. The check showed that the passage was dug quite deep and was only about five meters from the fence on the Palestinian side," stated an IDF commander. Tubol added that such tunnels could be used for infiltration and arms smuggling, with smugglers earning significant sums. Following the October 7 attacks, concerns about militants infiltrating Jerusalem from Judea and Samaria have intensified. A state comptroller's report by Matanyahu Engelman indicated that the Jerusalem barrier's defenses against terrorists and saboteurs are insufficient.