New tunnel for terror attacks uncovered
On August 27th 2006, following intricate and ongoing intelligence-gathering activity by the IDF and ISA, security forces were able to uncover the location of a tunnel dug from within the Gaza Strip in the direction of the Karni crossing.
The tunnel was intended to be used to carry out a large-scale terror attack, apparently against the crossing itself. Forces uncovered the shaft (13 meters depth) and main infrastructure (150 meters length) of the tunnel. The tunnel entrance was found inside a house in the residential area of Sajaiya.
IDF forces are operating in order to collapse the tunnel.
Due to the many security alerts regarding the intentions of terror organizations to carry out an attack on the crossing, the crossing has been
intermittently closed over the past months as part of the activity to thwart such attempts.
The Karni crossing is one of the main lifelines of the Palestinian population- allowing the passage of merchandise and medical supplies in and out of the Gaza Strip.
Its targeting by the terror organizations, along with other crossings such as Erez and Kerem Shalom, is a deliberate attempt by terrorists to weaken the Palestinian economy.
The targeting of these crossings which are reopened again and again after attacks is a cynical exploitation of the Israeli effort to ease the daily lives of Palestinian civilians who are not involved in terror activity.
It should be noted that despite the uncovering of this particular tunnel, the threat of terror against the crossing still exists.
Source: IDF Spokesperson
