Israeli security forces uncovered a tunnel dug from Al-Eizariya toward Israeli territory near the A-Za'im crossing, east of Jerusalem, reaching about 25 meters deep, police say. Two suspects — a Palestinian resident of Al-Eizariya and an East Jerusalem resident, both in their 30s — were arrested after DNA evidence linked them to the tunnel. Digging tools, water bottles, gloves, and face masks were found at the site, according to Israeli media citing police. Authorities suspect the tunnel was intended for terror activity or smuggling.
Tonight (Wednesday at 17:41 Jerusalem), police released new details in the discovery of a 25-meter-deep terror tunnel near the A-Za'im crossing east of Jerusalem, reporting that forensic evidence — including DNA — links two suspects in their 30s to the tunnel. The two, a Palestinian resident of Al-Eizariya and an East Jerusalem resident, were arrested earlier today. Digging tools, water bottles, gloves, and face masks were recovered at the site, according to police statements cited by Israeli media.
As The Zioneer first reported at 11:50 Jerusalem, security forces had arrested two suspects after uncovering the tunnel near the A-Za'im crossing. A follow-up bulletin at 15:18 noted the tunnel was located specifically near that checkpoint. At 16:00, the Securityist Movement (Habithonistim) warned the find underscored the internal threat along the seam line. The latest police disclosure at 17:41 corroborates earlier reports with specific forensic ties and recovered equipment, deepening the thread from a bare arrest to a detailed incriminating picture.
Earlier this month (June 12, 14:13 Jerusalem), Israeli forces uncovered weapon-production lathes in the same village of A-Za'im, as The Zioneer reported — adding a pattern of arms-related activity in the area. The wider background includes a series of Hezbollah tunnel exposures in southern Lebanon, though the A-Za'im tunnel appears to be a locally dug, smaller-scale operation.
No official confirmation has been issued regarding the tunnel's operational readiness or whether it was complete. The investigation continues.
3 developments
- DevelopingSecurityist Movement warns exposed tunnel near Az-Zeim is wake-up call for internal threat
- ConfirmedHezbollah's 25-meter-deep terror city revealed 6 km from Israeli border
- DevelopingStabbing attack at Tunnel Checkpoint in Gush Etzion; suspect neutralized
- StrongReport on massive terror tunnels in the north prompts comparisons to earlier incident
Source and signal
- Internal intake