Tunnel and weapons cache uncovered near Jerusalem in foiled major terror plot, police say

Israeli police and Border Police (Magav) have revealed the details of a coordinated security operation that uncovered a sophisticated tunnel and a hidden arsenal in the vicinity of Jerusalem. The tunnel, reaching a depth of 25 meters, was located near the A-Za'im crossing. According to police findings, the shaft was dug from Judea and Samaria toward Israeli territory, suggesting a strategic effort to bypass security barriers.

Forensic Breakthrough and Arrests

The investigation into the tunnel led to the arrest of two suspects. Authorities stated that forensic evidence recovered from the site, including DNA, provided a direct link to a Palestinian man from Al-Eizariya and a resident of East Jerusalem. The involvement of an individual with Israeli residency status highlights the persistent challenge of internal security threats and the exploitation of freedom of movement within the capital's environs.

Weapons Cache in Al-Jib

In a related development, Border Police units conducted a targeted search in the village of Al-Jib, located northwest of Jerusalem near Givon HaHadasha. Hidden at the bottom of a deep water pit, officers discovered a large cache of weaponry. The inventory included Carlo-style submachine guns, 5.56mm ammunition, and a variety of explosive devices. Among the seized items were a pipe bomb, a demolition block, liquid explosives, and a remote-control trigger. Police sappers were called to the scene to safely neutralize and destroy the explosive materials.

Strategic Assessment

Security officials assess that the combination of the tunnel infrastructure and the recovered explosives indicates a plan for a high-impact attack in the Jerusalem area. While the specific target has not been named, the nature of the equipment—particularly the remote triggers and liquid explosives—points toward a sophisticated cell rather than a lone-wolf actor. This discovery follows previous reports by The Zioneer regarding weapons seizures in the same sector, underscoring a concentrated effort by terror elements to establish operational footholds on the outskirts of the capital.