Israeli police and Border Police uncovered a 25-meter-deep tunnel near the A-Za'im crossing east of Jerusalem, dug from the Al-Eizariya area toward Israeli territory. Forensic evidence, including DNA, linked two suspects — a Palestinian from Al-Eizariya and an East Jerusalem resident — to the tunnel, leading to their arrest, Israeli police said.
The tunnel was uncovered on Wednesday, June 24 near the A-Za'im crossing, a major security checkpoint east of Jerusalem linking the capital with Judea and Samaria and Ma'ale Adumim. Police said the shaft was approximately 25 meters deep and was dug from the Palestinian side toward Israeli territory. Digging tools, water bottles, gloves, face masks, and other equipment were seized at the scene. Forensic investigators collected DNA evidence that identified two suspects — a Palestinian resident of Al-Eizariya and an East Jerusalem resident, both in their 30s. They were arrested early Wednesday morning in a joint operation involving the Judea and Samaria District police's minority affairs unit, Border Police, and Jerusalem District officers. Police suspect the tunnel was recently dug and intended for terror activity and the smuggling of illegal entrants. As The Zioneer reported, the discovery follows a broader pattern of security incidents along the Jerusalem seam line, including the seizure of weapon-production lathes in the same area on June 12. The investigation is ongoing.
5 developments
- DevelopingSecurity forces arrest Palestinians disguised as Jews at Maccabim Crossing
- DevelopingSecurityist Movement warns exposed tunnel near Az-Zeim is wake-up call for internal threat
- 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