VIDEO - IDF forces operating near the Philadelphi Route in south Gaza uncovered five weapons-smuggling tunnels on Wednesday. The army has unearthed 20 tunnels used to smuggle arms and explosives since it has stepped its efforts following the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit last June.
Some of the tunnel openings were discovered in several structures in the area. The tunnels in the southern Strip have become a major threat as of late, and the IDF estimates that they are being increasingly used by terror groups to obtain advanced weapons, such as antitank missiles similar to those used by Hizbullah during the recent war in Lebanon.
A senior IDF Southern Command official said, “The activity in south Gaza is aimed at hurting all terror organizations that act against Israel and damage terror infrastructure.”
However, IDF officials admit that in order to decrease the threat emanating from south Gaza a more extensive operation will be needed, although at this stage the military is making due with pinpointed operations. The political echelon is in no hurry to authorize a wide-scale operation in the Strip, and Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Wednesday that there is no intention to reconquer Gaza.
However, he added that, “Israel would not allow the weapons-smuggling lanes to become freeways.”