IDF Discovers Tunnel in Hebron and Uncovers Smuggling Route Near al-Ram
Security forces uncovered a tunnel in Hebron near the home of a terrorist from last Friday's attack that killed two IDF soldiers. Concurrently, a smuggling route near al-Ram led to the arrest of 32 undocumented workers and four suspects.
Israeli security forces discovered a 15-meter-deep underground tunnel in Hebron, located near the home of one of the terrorists involved in last Friday's attack that killed two IDF soldiers. Concurrently, authorities uncovered an underground route near the village of al-Ram used to smuggle undocumented workers into Israel, leading to the arrest of 32 illegal entrants and four suspected accomplices.
The operation in Hebron, commanded by the Judea Regional Brigade, was launched following Friday's lethal clash in the city that claimed the lives of Sergeant First Class Ron Yonatan Roitman and Sergeant Yuval Shay Soylem, while leaving three other soldiers with minor injuries. Troops discovered the subterranean cavity during sweeps across more than 500 locations.
Preliminary investigations indicate the cavity measures approximately 15 meters in depth and 75 centimeters in width, with no exit opening. An electronic device was recovered from the site and handed over to security agencies for examination. The IDF emphasized that the location is situated within Hebron and is not adjacent to any Israeli community.
Simultaneously, a joint intelligence and operational sweep by the Border Police's Jerusalem Envelope unit uncovered an underground passage utilizing existing sewage infrastructure near al-Ram. The route was allegedly used to facilitate the clandestine movement of unauthorized individuals from Judea and Samaria into Israel.
During the nocturnal operation involving Border Police officers, undercover operatives, and IDF troops from the Binyamin Regional Brigade, security forces intercepted 32 undocumented individuals who had crossed into Israeli territory near Beit Hanina via the tunnel. Four suspects accused of assisting the infiltration were also taken into custody.
According to police statements, the entrance to the underground route was concealed beneath a commercial vehicle parked directly over it, allowing access through the vehicle itself. All suspects have been transferred to the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police special investigations unit for further questioning.
