WarSclerotic

It was cleared for publication today (Thursday) that a 28-meter (around 90 feet) deep tunnel was located under the security fence. The tunnel apparently leads into Israel. IDF officials stated that this is a violation of Israel’s sovereignty. Hours later, mortar shells were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. Two falls were located in the area. The IDF responded with tank fire.

“Threats don’t deter Hamas and we will continue operating in light of the present violation of our sovereignty,” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon stated today. “Since Hamas fired, we responded and we will continue to respond to any Hamas provocation so that an escalation won’t occur and Hamas won’t continue firing.”

The tunnel was located after the IDF increased its activities in the area, while combining technological, operational and intelligence tools in order to quash the tunnel threat. The IDF is currently investigating the tunnel, which will be mapped before it is destroyed.

Yesterday, the Israeli Air Force targeted several terror targets near the Palestinian city of Rafah in Gaza, after Hamas fired a number of mortar shells at IDF forces that were operating along the border in order to detect the tunnels. No soldiers were injured due to the mortar fire. IDF tanks also responded by returning fire.

“Don’t test our patience,” threatened Hamas, after the situation along the border spiraled yesterday. The terrorist organization claimed that it is deciding on how to respond to the “Israeli escalation in Eastern Gaza.”