Gaza Continues To Build Tunnels
GAZA CITY [MENL] -- The Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip continues to construct
military tunnels.
Palestinian sources said Hamas and the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad
were constructing and expanding the tunnel network in the Gaza Strip. They
said the Palestinian movements were defying threats by neighboring Egypt and
Israel, which have destroyed some of the tunnels.
"The tunnel project is a strategic priority and funded by Iran," a
source said. "Hamas and Jihad are willing to risk war to keep those
tunnels."
On July 18, Jihad cited continuous tunnel operations near the Israeli
border. Jihad said one of its operatives, identified as Saleh Al Astal, was
killed and two others were injured when a tunnel collapsed underneath the
southern Gaza border with Israel.
"He died as a martyr during a jihad mission," Jihad said.
This marked at least the second Jihad tunnel collapse in the Gaza Strip
in July 2016. The sources said Hamas and Jihad were focusing their effort on
penetrating Israel in preparation for any future war.
"They know they are being closely monitored by Egypt and Israel, but
this will not stop or even slow down the [tunnel] mission," the source said.