Palestinian Security Officer Suspected in West Bank Tunnel Digging

A military court extended the detention of two Qalqilya residents until Sunday, who are suspected of digging a 25-meter-deep tunnel. Authorities suspect one of the detainees is an officer in the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, with a rank equivalent to a senior police superintendent in Israel. The detention of two additional suspects, who are also in custody, was extended last Thursday. The suspects face charges including possession of weapons, conspiracy to commit a crime, preparing to commit an act of terror, and preparing a passage or tunnel for criminal purposes or escape.

During a hearing, the defense attorney claimed one of the suspects holds a position in the Palestinian Preventive Security Service. The military court stated there is a reasonable suspicion that the suspects committed the offenses, including preparing a passage or tunnel, after reviewing the investigation file and a secret report.

Last week, police reported discovering two tunnels in various stages of excavation in Qalqilya, one at a depth of at least 25 meters. The police stated that numerous weapons were found inside and that the tunnel was located approximately 400 meters from Highway 6 and 200 meters from Highway 55, but did not cross into Israeli territory. The IDF, however, denied this, stating that two deep shafts were found but later dismissed suspicions that they connected to a tunnel or were near the seam line.

The police maintained their announcement was accurate and fact-based, leading to a dispute between the forces, with both sides releasing videos to support their claims. Residents in the area, located about 18 kilometers from Kfar Saba and other central Israeli towns, expressed concern about potential infiltrations since October 7th. The mayor of Kfar Saba and chairman of the seam line communities forum called the incident serious, highlighting the real and immediate security threat to residents. Local residents also expressed shock but not surprise, with one student noting the unexpected presence of terror so close to home and a farmer fearing further undiscovered tunnels and rapid infiltration into Israel.