Tunnel Discovered Near Jerusalem Crossing, Two Suspects Held Over Terror Allegations

Security forces uncovered a tunnel dug from the Palestinian territories toward Israel near the al-Za'im crossing, east of Jerusalem, and arrested two suspects in connection with it. The tunnel was found at a depth of about 25 meters after a report from the Civil Administration.

Police and Border Police forces that reached the scene seized digging tools, water bottles, gloves, face masks and other equipment believed to have been used by the diggers. Forensic investigators collected evidence, and DNA findings helped identify the suspects.

The two detainees are a Palestinian resident of al-Eizariya and a resident of East Jerusalem, both in their 30s. They were arrested before dawn in a joint operation by Border Police in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem District officers, then taken for questioning.

Police are investigating whether the tunnel was recently dug and intended for security offenses, including terror attacks and smuggling illegal residents into Israel. Lt. Cmdr. Moshe Cohen, head of the Judea and Samaria District’s central unit, said, “We thwarted a security threat before it materialized.” He added that the force would continue using “zero tolerance” against any attempt to harm Israeli civilians.