„Nearly two years since the end of Operation Protective Edge, IDF forces, with the aid of advanced technology, managed to locate a Hamas attack tunnel crossing the border fence into Israel and dug by most estimates after the last round of fighting, it was cleared for publication Monday morning. The shaft was discovered in Israeli territory, a few dozen meters from the fence bordering the central Gaza Strip, in the Eshkol regional council, but not very close to nearby communities. According to the security establishment’s estimates, the tunnel is designated for a strategic attack by dozens of Hamas fighters of their elite unit – ‚Nukhba‘. …
Hamas’s excavation of this tunnel appears to be have been done relatively fast compared to those dug in the years prior to Operation Protective Edge, pointing to their having learned lessons and invested an unprecedented amount of money – in the millions of shekels – in the project. Even the depth of the tunnel, about 30 meters, is considered unusual. Nevertheless, in other respects, it is the same type of tunnel discovered before and during Operation Protective Edge – reinforced walls, digging pathways, branches and inner depth. According to a senior Southern Command official, Hamas employs 800 tunnel diggers who enjoy high salaries compared to other activists in the organization, and the organization’s Chief of Staff Mohammed Deif views the tunnels as a flagship project highlighting the strengthening of the military wing.“ (Der Journalist Yoav Zitun auf der Nachrichtenwebsite Ynet: „Hamas attack tunnel discovered in Israel“)
