The IDF has uncovered a major tunnel leading from northern Gaza, under the security fence and to the western Negev. It was to be used for major terror attacks.

The Golani Brigade discovered the tunnel following intelligence information from the Shabak (General Security Service). The tunnel began inside a tomato-growing greenhouse 700 meters (nearly half a mile) from the security fence, on the outskirts of Beit Lahiya.

IDF soldiers stand beside the tunnel in a PA Arab tomato greenhouse

The IDF statement summing up the incident pointed out, “The discovery of the tunnel and the prevention of the attack were made possible by the IDF's continued activity in the area.”

Officials said the major attack would have targeted a city north of Gaza, presumably Ashkelon. The tunnel was blown up Wednesday evening by IDF combat engineers.

The tunnel

Tunnels have been used in several attacks and in the kidnapping of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit by Hamas terrorists. In southern Gaza, tunnels are used for smuggling weapons, drugs and human slaves and sex workers.



Military intelligence believes that there are several, possibly scores of tunnels ready for use by terrorists seeking to infiltrate from Gaza in order to carry out attacks. Tunnels have also been used to bypass the Judea and Samaria Partition Wall.

A generator used to power the digging equipment used to make the tunnel





Woman Hurt by Mortar Shell

An Israeli woman was injured when Gaza terrorists fired at least five mortar shells at the Erez Crossing area Wednesday afternoon. The woman was hit by shrapnel and evacuated to a nearby hospital.



Hamas claimed responsibility for the shelling.