The Israel Defense Forces discovered a large tunnel large enough to allow vehicles to pass on the border between Gaza and Egypt, officials said Sunday.
The 10-foot-tall tunnel was found last week on the so-called Philadelphi Route when IDF troops were in the area searching for tunnel routes that Hamas terrorists believed to be used to smuggle weapons.
The IDF said its troops have eliminated dozens of such tunnels in the area and will continue to uncover and destroy others they can find.
Tensions in the Middle East have soared after nearly 10 months of war in Gaza and the killing last week of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel and threatened retaliation.
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The tunnel was 10 feet high, large enough for vehicles to pass through, according to the IDF. (Israel Defense Forces)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on Sunday that the Jewish state was already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies and was ready for any scenario.
Israeli troops discovered a smuggling tunnel on the Gaza-Egypt border, IDF officials said. (Israel Defense Forces)
The US has urged Israel to take the chance of a ceasefire in the hope of preventing a wider regional conflict.
The Pentagon said late Friday that the US military will move a fighter squadron to the Middle East and keep an aircraft carrier in the region.
The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon encouraged citizens who want to leave to “book any ticket,” noting that several airlines have been shut down or canceled flights.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.