Second Hamas 'Terror Tunnel' Uncovered In Israeli Territory

Jerusalem, 5 May, 2016 (TPS) -- A second Hamas “terror tunnel” extending into Israeli territory from southern Gaza was discovered in recent days, the IDF announced on Thursday.

“This tunnel was built by Hamas in order to infiltrate Israel and execute terror attacks against the people of southern communities,” the IDF said. “In the past two days, Hamas has carried out mortar attacks against forces during operational activity to target Hamas’ terror activities. The IDF will continue its counter terror activities to uncover and neutralize Hamas’ offensive tunnels.”

“The IDF sees the terror activities both underground and overground as a violation of Israeli sovereignty and as a threat to its citizens and views Hamas as solely responsible for them,” the statement read.

“We stay committed to safeguarding the people of southern Israel while Hamas is committed to violence and terror,” said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an IDF spokesman. “No one should be living in fear of being attacked in their home by terrorists infiltrating from underground. The IDF is determined to maintain the safety and stability of the area and will continue to use all means necessary to target Hamas’ terror activities.”

The latest tunnel was found in the same vicinity as a mile-long Hamas tunnel extending from Gaza to Israel found two weeks ago. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon inspected that tunnel on Tuesday.

Netanyahu attributed the previous tunnel discovery to a breakthrough technological innovation, which he called “an underground Iron Dome,” referring to Israel’s successful missile-defense system.

“In recent days Israel has achieved a worldwide breakthrough in the ability to locate tunnels,” Netanyahu said at a press conference several weeks ago after that tunnel was discovered. The “unique breakthrough,” he added, “is a solution that no other country in the world possesses.”

Israel has struggled for years with the vexing threat posed by Hamas tunnels, most notably during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 in which Hamas fighters used dozens of tunnels from Gaza to attack Israelis.

The latest tunnel discoveries and Netanyahu’s announcement suggest that Israel may now possess the technological edge in the underground battlefield on the Gaza border.