IDF uncovers Gaza tunnel intended for terror attack - Haaretz

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Fri., August 17, 2007 Elul 3, 5767

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IDF uncovers Gaza tunnel intended for terror attack

By Amos Harel and Yoav Stern

The Israel Defense Forces uncovered a tunnel on Tuesday in the northern Gaza Strip, which was dug to facilitate a terror attack on Israel.

The opening of the tunnel was uncovered 700 meters from the Gaza-Israel border, on the outskirts of Beit Lahia. The tunnel was dug under an area of tomato greenhouses. The IDF also found a generator in the area, which supplied the electricity for the digging tools. The IDF plans to blow up the tunnel, thus rendering it useless.

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The Golani infantry brigade, following information provided by military intelligence sources and assisted by combat engineering and armored forces, discovered the tunnel while operating in the northern Gaza Strip. Intelligence sources believe the tunnel was intended for infiltration into Israeli territory with the intention of carrying out a large-scale terror attack.

Intelligence sources reported that they had information indicating that the attack was meant to be carried out in an Israeli town just north of Gaza.

A gag order on the discovery of the tunnel was lifted yesterday.

Tunnels are increasingly employed as a means to infiltrate Israel in order to execute terrorist attacks against civilians, and for the purpose of smuggling weapons and illegal contraband.

Meanwhile, an Israeli civilian was lightly wounded yesterday after she was hit by shrapnel from a mortar shell that landed next to the Erez Crossing on the border with Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian gunmen in Gaza fired at least five mortar shells at the area of the crossing. The military wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the shell, Israel Radio reported.

During Israel Defense Forces operations in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon, gunmen fired at least two Qassam rockets at the western Negev. After the operations ceased, the gunmen fired mortar shells that landed on both sides of the border with Israel. Six Palestinians were killed and 32 were wounded during the IDF operation Tuesday, including two Hamas gunmen and two civilians. The identities of the other two killed is not known.

An IDF soldier was lightly wounded during clashes, and evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.

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