Kfar Saba Mayor Calls for Action After Tunnel Discovery Near Qalqilya

Rafi Sa'ar, the mayor of Kfar Saba and chairman of the "Seam Line Settlements Forum," has called on the Israeli government to enhance security measures for residents living near the West Bank seam line following the discovery of a tunnel near Qalqilya. The tunnel, found during an operation by Israeli police and Border Police forces in Qalqilya, which is adjacent to Kfar Saba, was still under construction and had reached a depth of at least 25 meters. Police reported that weapons, ammunition, and other equipment were found at the site, and four suspects were arrested for questioning. Signs of another excavation were also discovered. Sa'ar stated that the incident highlights the security challenges faced by residents in cities and towns near the seam line, including Kfar Saba and other communities in the Sharon region. He emphasized that recent developments necessitate treating the threat not as a potential scenario but as a concrete security issue requiring practical preparation on the ground. Sa'ar stressed that residents expect the state to provide a sense of security and ensure local authorities and the security system have the necessary tools to confront developing threats near population centers. He added that it is unacceptable for residents living near the seam line to endure prolonged periods of security uncertainty and called for strengthening defense, intelligence, and surveillance systems in the area to minimize the possibility of such threats.