Israeli police and Border Police forces uncovered a tunnel near the Az-Zaim crossing east of Jerusalem after the Civil Administration reported it. Investigators from the West Bank district’s central unit said the tunnel had been dug from the Palestinian territories toward Israeli territory, to a depth of about 25 meters.
At the scene, officers found digging tools, water bottles, gloves, face masks and other equipment. Forensic investigators then collected evidence, including DNA, which helped identify two suspects, a Palestinian from Al-Eizariya and a resident of East Jerusalem, both in their 30s.
The two were arrested at 5 a.m. in a joint operation by the minority affairs unit of the West Bank district’s central unit, Border Police in the West Bank, and Jerusalem District police, and were taken for questioning. Police said they are examining whether the tunnel was recently dug and intended for security offenses, including terrorism and the illegal entry of undocumented Palestinians into Israel.
West Bank district police commander Chief Superintendent Moshe Cohen said the discovery and arrests showed the district’s “determination and operational and investigative capabilities” in stopping threats before they are carried out. He added that the suspected infrastructure was meant for terrorism and smuggling undocumented workers into Israeli territory, and said police would continue using all operational and intelligence tools against attempts to harm Israeli civilians.
