IDF: 'Attack tunnel' discovered near Gaza border

Army says tunnel near security fence part of 'attempt to carry out terrorist attacks'; Palestinians say farmer severely hurt from IDF fire

Yoav Zitun|Published: 01.15.13 , 09:39

IDF forces discovered an entrance to a tunnel near the Gaza border, in Israeli territory. According to the army, the tunnel has "aggressive purposes."

The IDF spokesperson stated that "This attempt to carry out terrorist attacks against citizens and security forces in Israeli territory is viewed in very serious terms by the army."

Related stories:

Large army forces were rushed Monday to an open terrain to investigate a ground collapse close to the Nir Oz community, located not far from the border fence.

Apparently the collapse wasn't due to an explosion, and bomb experts and Engineering Corps soldiers examined the terrain and discovered the tunnel entrance. An investigation into the tunnel's origin and construction date in ongoing.

פיר המנהרה שנחשף (צילום: דובר צה"ל)

Tunnel entrance (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Earlier Tuesday, Palestinians reported that a farmer tilling his land suffered severe head wounds from IDF fire in the northern Gaza strip, close to the border fence.

On Friday a Palestinian was killed and another was injured by IDF fire during a protest in the northern Gaza Strip, east of Jabalia. The IDF said there was an illegal gathering of dozens of Palestinians in a forbidden area close to the border fence.

Soldiers arriving in the area called protestors to turn back and, unheeded, opened fire towards the legs of a Palestinian who tried to cut the fence.

Palestinian sources confirmed that one Palestinian was shot in the foot, and reported that another, a 22-year-old-man, was killed by a shot to the chest. Both were evacuated to a hospital in the northern Gaza strip.