A Palestinian resident of Al-Eizariya and a resident of east Jerusalem were arrested early Wednesday morning for alleged involvement in digging a tunnel that was discovered near the A-Za’im Crossing in the Jerusalem area.

The investigation began after the Civil Administration reported the discovery of a tunnel near the crossing.

Officers from the Judea and Samaria District Police and Border Police forces were dispatched to the scene and located a tunnel that had been dug from the Palestinian Authority toward Israel. According to the police, the tunnel reached a depth of approximately 25 meters.

Excavation tools, gloves, face masks, and additional equipment were found at the site.

 

Forensic investigators from the Judea and Samaria District collected evidence and findings at the scene. During the investigation, forensic evidence, including DNA samples, led to the identification of the two suspects.

Both suspects were arrested and transferred for questioning.

Police are investigating suspicions that the tunnel was dug in recent months and was intended to be used for security-related offenses, including terrorist activity and the smuggling of illegal migrants into Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)