IDF Disputes Police Claims of Terror Tunnel Discovery Near Qalqilya

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has sharply criticized the police following the discovery of shafts near Qalqilya, which police had claimed were part of a terrorist tunnel. The IDF refuted the police's earlier announcement, stating in an unusually strong statement that their own assessment found no tunnel connecting the two shafts, which were approximately 12 meters deep. The army's engineering unit, "Yal"am," conducted the examination. The IDF statement asserted that contrary to "official and irresponsible reports," their findings ruled out the existence of a tunnel and any proximity of the shafts to the separation barrier. The military confirmed that an overnight operation involving soldiers, border police, and Judea and Samaria district police, led by the "Ephraim" brigade, was conducted based on intelligence regarding hidden weapons. An M16 rifle, a hunting rifle, a pistol, and ammunition were found near the shafts. An anonymous senior police officer suggested the IDF's strong reaction stemmed from dissatisfaction that the credit for discovering the shafts and weapons would go to the police and border guards. The officer claimed the deep shafts and arsenal indicated thwarted terrorist preparations and accused the military of attempting to mislead the public to claim credit. Major General Moshe Pinchi, commander of the Judea and Samaria police district, stated the IDF was aware of the discovery beforehand and that the police announcement was made with their knowledge. The article also references a previous report about a plan to reduce the IDF's involvement in civilian and law enforcement tasks in Judea and Samaria due to concerns about unit effectiveness and role character.