Police find deep excavation tunnel and arms in West Bank, sparking arrests, alarm

Israeli police and Border Police uncovered a tunnel at least 25 meters deep still under excavation in Qalqilya, along with weapons and equipment. Four suspects were arrested. Local officials expressed alarm, calling the discovery a serious security threat to seam-line communities.

Israeli police and Border Police uncovered a tunnel at least 25 meters deep that was still under excavation in Qalqilya on Wednesday, during a targeted intelligence operation. Officers also found the start of another excavation nearby. They seized an M16 rifle, a sniper rifle, ammunition, magazines, phones, a DVR device, and fertilizer, which police said could be used to prepare explosive devices. Four suspects were arrested and taken for questioning. Police said operations against such infrastructure would continue. The discovery raised alarm among local officials. Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar described the incident as serious and said it demonstrated the danger facing residents. Drom Hasharon Regional Council head Oshrat Gani Gonen warned that the threat to seam-line communities is becoming increasingly established, citing the tunnel, drones, weapons, and terrorist infrastructure. She said the events of October 7 required a change in how such threats are addressed and called for treating the seam line as a front with adequate forces, equipment, technology, and budgets.