25-Meter Terror Tunnel Discovered Under Qalqilya

Israeli police and Border Guard forces uncovered an advanced terror tunnel reaching at least 25 meters deep beneath the Palestinian city of Qalqilya during a targeted intelligence-driven operation. The discovery, made by the Judea and Samaria Crime Fighting Unit alongside Border Guard troops, yielded a significant weapons cache and led to the arrest of four suspects now under interrogation.

The operation followed precise intelligence that directed forces to conduct searches in the Palestinian city. During the sweep, troops discovered the tunnel still under construction but already reaching a substantial depth of approximately 25 meters. Forces also identified the beginning of a second tunnel excavation in the area.

Searches at the site yielded extensive combat equipment: an M16 rifle, a sniper rifle, ammunition, magazines, cellular phones, fertilizer used for preparing explosives, and a DVR device. The findings point to a sophisticated terror infrastructure in advanced stages of preparation.

The tunnel discovery joins a series of similar finds in recent months across Judea and Samaria. Approximately two weeks ago, another tunnel was located in the village of al-Jib near the security barrier and close to the communities of Givon and Givat Ze'ev, with the tunnel entrance concealed inside an ancient water cistern.

Qalqilya, designated as Area A, has been the focus of security activity in the past. Last July, ten Israeli civilians who entered the city illegally while attempting to locate a stolen motorcycle were extracted after finding themselves in a dangerous situation when dozens of Palestinians gathered around them.

M-16 rifle seized in the operation (Israel Police Spokesperson)

The Israel Police stated that "Israel Police will continue to act proactively to expose excavation infrastructure and combat equipment in Judea and Samaria, to locate those involved and bring them to full justice." The activity is being carried out alongside efforts to strengthen security in seam zone communities and prevent infiltrations.

The four suspects arrested at the scene were transferred for in-depth police interrogation aimed at determining the tunnel's purpose, who stands behind its excavation, and the organizational infrastructure that enabled its construction. The investigation will also examine the connection between the various items seized at the site.

Kfar Saba Mayor and Chairman of the Seam Zone Communities Forum Rafi Saar responded: "The exposure of the underground tunnel in Qalqilya, containing combat equipment, is a serious incident that illustrates how real and immediate the security threat to seam zone residents is. This is not a theoretical warning, this is a security reality that demands determined action.

"I commend the security forces who acted professionally and with determination to locate the tunnel and thwart the threat, thereby preventing a real danger. At the same time, we must not be satisfied with point-by-point thwarting of threats. The State of Israel must act systematically and broadly to prevent the next threat.

"Seam zone residents, including the residents of Kfar Saba and the entire Sharon region, cannot live with a sense of uncertainty. They are entitled to security, protection and quiet, and the State of Israel must provide them with the required security response, through strengthening the barrier, the communities, security forces and operational systems along the seam zone.

"As chairman of the Seam Zone Communities Forum, I demand that the government continue to act with determination against every threat and give the seam zone the security response it requires. We must not wait for the next incident. The security of seam zone residents is not a matter for discretion – it is the responsibility of the State of Israel and must stand at the top of the national priority list."

Southern Sharon Regional Council Head Oshrat Gani Gonen also responded to the new threat: "A tunnel near Qalqilya is an incident that must not be allowed to pass. This is further evidence that the threat to seam zone communities is becoming established right beyond the fence.

They tell us again and again that there's an army in Judea and Samaria. True, there's an army in Judea and Samaria, but that doesn't reassure us. We're looking at what's happening meters from our homes, a tunnel, drones, combat equipment and terror infrastructure. From our perspective, each of these things is crossing a red line.

After October 7, no one can afford to close their eyes to such incidents, minimize them or be satisfied with saying the area is under control. The responsibility is to identify the threat before it becomes a disaster.

And it's inconceivable that in this reality we were forced to struggle for years and reach the High Court of Justice, so that the State of Israel would recognize the danger and budget security for seam zone communities. This danger is not theoretical. It's right before our eyes.

The seam zone is a front and must be treated as a front, with forces, resources, technology and budgets. This must happen now and not after the next incident."