Israeli Police Uncover Weapons Tunnel Near Kfar Saba

Israeli police have discovered an unfinished tunnel, at least 25 meters deep, near the Arab city of Qalqilya in Samaria, containing weapons, ammunition, and materials for explosives. A second tunnel shaft was also found in the vicinity. Four suspects were detained during the operation. The search yielded an M16 automatic rifle, a sniper rifle, magazines, ammunition, mobile phones, fertilizer, other explosive-making substances, and a video recorder. The suspects were taken for questioning.

The discovery has raised concerns among local leaders in the Sharon region. Rafi Saar, head of Kfar Saba and chairman of the Forum of Communities Along the Seam Line, described the incident as a "serious event that shows how real and immediate the security threat to residents is." He emphasized that the threat is no longer theoretical and requires decisive action, urging the state to systematically strengthen defenses around towns, kibbutzim, and communities bordering Arab settlements.

Oshrat Ganin-Gonen, head of the Drom HaSharon Regional Council, stated that the tunnel's discovery near Qalqilya cannot be ignored. She expressed that despite the army's presence in Judea and Samaria, the proximity of tunnels, drones, weapons, and terrorist infrastructure constitutes crossing a red line. Ganin-Gonen stressed that Israel cannot afford to ignore such events, especially after October 7th, and called for treating the seam line as a full-fledged front with adequate resources and technology.