Cleared for publication: Another Gaza attack-tunnel digger captured

A 17 yr-old Hamas’s military wing member, who was captured by the IDF after crossing border from Gaza, revealed an abundance of information to the Shin Bet regarding Hamas strategy and tunnel routes.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Israeli security forces arrested a 17-year-old Gazan who was a member of Hamas’s military wing last month, it was cleared for publication on Sunday. The teenager was arrested in a joint operation between the IDF, police, and the Shin Bet after the Palestinian crossed the border fence into Israel.

Hamas terror tunnel – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The Palestinian wasn’t carrying any weapons when he was arrested, and had no connections to any of the other Hamas members who’ve been arrested.

He revealed during his interrogation that he was affiliated with the Hamas Beit Lahiya Battalion, and dealt with tunnels for the majority of his Hamas service.

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The suspect admitted that the tunnels were to be used by the Hamas Special Forces Nakhba unit to kidnap IDF soldiers, commit suicide attacks, and commit other large scale attacks on Israeli towns.

Hamas, the prisoner said, is working to create a warren of tunnels under Gaza for its fighters to enable them to traverse the length and breadth of the strip completely underground. The tunnels contain rooms and structures to be used for the benefit of Hamas Special Forces fighters.

The majority of tunnel entrances are located in and around schools, mosques, and private homes, built with the knowledge that Israel is less likely to attack these structures.

The Palestinian also spoke to the Shin Bet about the courses he underwent alongside work he carried out with the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades brigades.

This is the second such arrest in the past month, with another 17 year old having been arrested at the beginning of May. Investigations of that teenager also revealed a wealth of information on Hamas tunnels.

 

View original Ynet publication at:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4812155,00.html