Israeli Border Police Foil Tunnel Digging Near Jerusalem Separation Barrier

Israeli Border Police (Magav) forces operating near Jerusalem thwarted an attempt to dig a tunnel close to the separation barrier in the Kalandiya area on Monday night. Observers at the Atarot command center spotted several suspects digging a shaft near the fence line, prompting police to rush to the scene. When the officers approached, the suspects fled on foot, leading to a chase during which warning shots were fired into the air. A 36-year-old man from the Kalandiya refugee camp was apprehended; he was found to be in Israel illegally.

The suspect led officers to the excavation site, where initial questioning revealed plans to dig a tunnel aimed at infiltrating Israeli territory. Investigators found numerous digging tools and buckets at the scene, believed to have been used for the tunnel construction. This incident adds to a series of infiltration attempts and thwarted operations in the Jerusalem envelope region.

A recent State Comptroller report highlighted that only 61% of the separation line around Jerusalem is covered by physical barriers, leaving 39% unprotected. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, police reported over 2,400 Palestinians caught attempting to cross, suggesting even higher actual infiltration numbers. These findings raise serious concerns about security gaps in the area.

The arrested individual and the materials seized were transferred to the Border Police's investigation and intelligence unit in the Jerusalem envelope for further questioning. Authorities expect additional arrests related to the tunnel-digging operation. Police emphasized their ongoing commitment to preventing serious offenses and protecting public safety through advanced operational and intelligence capabilities.