Rocket Attack, Terror Tunnel: Israel’s South Moving Toward Escalation?

21 October, 2020   |   3 years ago

Jerusalem, 21 October, 2020 (TPS) -- Israel’s southern border with the Gaza Strip saw several significant security incidents in the past 24 hours, leading some to believe that the area may be moving toward an escalation.

Just two hours after the IDF cleared for publication that it had exposed a terror tunnel dug from Gaza into Israel, terrorists in Gaza on Tuesday fired a rocket toward Israeli civilian targets.

An Iron Dome defense battery intercepted the rocket.

In response to the attack, Israeli Air Force aircraft struck underground Hamas infrastructure in Gaza.

“We will protect Israeli civilians from threats above and below ground,” the IDF stated after the strike.

Earlier in the day, the IDF announced it has exposed a terror tunnel crossing dozens of meters into Israel.

The tunnel was exposed by the IDF’s advanced warning the system. The tunnel infiltrated into Israeli territory but did not breach the underground barrier meant to block the terror tunnels running from Gaza, the IDF emphasized.

“It should be noted that the tunnel did not pose a risk to localities at any stage, since it crossed Israeli territory only by tens of meters, and also because of the barrier,” the IDF said.

The tunnel will be demolished in the coming days.

“This is a violation of Israeli sovereignty, an attempt to terrorize our civilians and an abuse of international humanitarian aid. We hold Hamas accountable and stand prepared,” the IDF stated.

The IDF has exposed some 20 tunnels dug by terror groups and meant for offensive operations inside Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “will continue to take determined action in all sectors for the security of Israel and against any attempt to attack our sovereignty or our citizens.”

Gadi Yarkoni, head of the Eshkol Council situated on the Gaza border, stated that “the construction of the barrier along the border proved itself and justified the investment.”

“For a moment we did not delude ourselves that the other side would stop trying the terror tunnels,” and the exposure “sharpens the notion that in the Gaza Strip there is never any real peace and the terrorist organizations continue with the terror.”