Bereaved Israeli Resident Warns of Dozens of Terror Tunnels Under Gaza Border Community

Sabine Tassa, a resident of the Israeli border community Netiv HaAsara who lost her husband and son in the October 7 Hamas massacre, has issued a stark warning about the security situation near Gaza. In an interview with Ido Tauber, she revealed that there are dozens of Hamas tunnels beneath Netiv HaAsara, located just 400 meters from the Gaza Strip, and expressed deep mistrust of Hamas's promises amid ongoing talks about demilitarizing Gaza. "I have not slept for three days," she said, emphasizing the danger posed by what she described as a manipulative and dangerous enemy.

Tassa shared the trauma experienced by her community following the October 7 attack and the heavy physical and psychological toll on survivors, including widespread autoimmune diseases, PTSD, and impaired functioning among children. She criticized the reduction of military security measures in the community and demanded that the government stop neglecting Netiv HaAsara, the closest Israeli settlement to Gaza.

Despite her grief and skepticism, Tassa expressed pride in the Israeli Defense Forces, noting a renewed motivation among young soldiers, including a close friend of her late son who recently enlisted. She firmly rejected any notion of coexistence with Gaza residents, stating, "If it depends on me, we should conquer the entire Gaza Strip." She also lamented the international community's indifference and the diminishing global attention to Israel's plight.

Tassa divides her time between Netiv HaAsara and her home in Netanya but remains committed to her community near the Gaza border. Her testimony highlights the ongoing fears and demands of Israeli civilians living in close proximity to Gaza amid fragile ceasefire talks and security concerns.