world news
Israel ‘cannot rule out’ terror tunnels under West Bank settlement
After years of hearing about the tunnel threat in the North and South, now the residents of the Seam Line fear the threat has expanded to the eastern front. Dr. Daphne Richemond-Barak, an expert in the field, explains in an interview with Maariv why this is nothing less than an oversight.
In parallel to the IDF’s extensive activity to destroy Hamas’s terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip, this week, the IDF will mark five years since the end of Operation Northern Shield, during which six Hezbollah tunnels that penetrated Israeli territory were located. The decision to launch the extensive activity in December 2018 was preceded by repeated reports of digging noises by residents of Israel’s northern border, many of whom are currently forced to stay outside their homes following the exchange of fire at the border.
In recent weeks, after many years in which we have become accustomed to hearing about the underground threat in the north and south, similar complaints have been forwarded to the Israeli security forces by the residents of the seam line, raising the fear of the expansion of the tunnel threat to the eastern front as well.
“In the two years before the discovery of the tunnels in the north, there were many residents who complained, but at first they were not believed,” recalls Dr. Richemond-Barak, a senior lecturer at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Reichman University, who recognizes a great similarity between the various arenas.
Having gained substantial experience in researching Israel’s underground threats, she is convinced that the publications in the media concerning the region of Emek Hefer and the Sharon point to a failure of the security forces.
“Even if there is currently no real threat, once we realized that our enemies are using the underground in all sorts of ways, we had to anticipate and prepare for such a threat. “How can this be a surprise to anyone at this point, when we know that there are tunnels in Gaza, in Lebanon, and the entire Middle East?
“In addition, we know that in Jenin, underground infrastructure was found six months ago. If they are digging inside Jenin, why wouldn’t they try to dig under the green line now? If there is evidence of digging inside Jenin, why wouldn’t we find tunnels in Bat Hefer? The pattern is being repeated in each of the arenas. As soon as we see activity in one arena, we need to be proactive and realize that we may see the same activity in other arenas as well.”
And in the arena in question, there is no separation between Jewish and Palestinian settlements, which may increase the level of threat.
“This is a very important point. Theoretically, such tunnels could be inside Jenin, under the Green Line, or between Jewish and Palestinian settlements. We must not rule out such a possibility. If we understand that they know what to do with the knowledge and how to maximize the solution, then it could certainly be that they dug tunnels between Jewish and Palestinian settlements. It’s entirely possible.”
How complex is the excavation in this area? Are there significant differences between the types of soil?
“If you have to rank the level of difficulty according to the type of soil, then you can say that the soil that is easiest to dig in is the sandy soil of the Gaza Strip. In Judea and Samaria, digging is more complex than in the Gaza Strip, and on the Lebanese border, it is the most difficult to dig, but what is important to say in this context is that we know even if the type of soil is a little more difficult to dig, it still doesn’t stop the enemy. Look at Hezbollah carving tunnels in stone. Such difficulties do not deter any player in the arena.”
Since the discovery of the first tunnels in the Gaza Strip, Israel has invested many resources in developing a technological solution to the underground challenges.
In 2015, the operational deployment of a system manufactured by “Elbit” began, to locate underground tunnel mining. In October 2017, it was cleared for publication that the Southern Command established a technological laboratory for locating tunnels, which includes experts in various fields who analyze the information collected by the system.
Alongside the technological solutions, the “barrier” was erected on the border of the Gaza Strip, an underground wall tens of meters deep designed to stop the tunnels from entering Israel.
“The IDF has tools,” explains Dr. Richmeond-Barak, “but what is important is the change in perception. Look at the Green Line, how long it is, and how close it is to Jewish communities, and think how long it will take to conduct inspections around Jewish communities.
“There is no doubt that this is serious work, but there is a difference between saying it will take a long time and not being aware of the threat. The basic concept should be that the possibility exists and that it should be checked. I think what we lack is an understanding of the threat itself. First of all, we need to recognize it.”
It seems to be an unending chase, at least for the next few years.
“Very true. There is a phrase called the arms race, in which each side develops new weapons to gain superiority over the other side. We are now watching an underground arms race – both in terms of the tools and the way this tactic is used.
“In the end, this threat is not going to disappear. We think we have built an underground barrier and that will solve the story, but our technological developments do not lead to the conclusion that this tool can no longer be used. On the contrary, the general idea is that this tactic pays off.”
On Tuesday, February 11, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) will dedicate the Swords of Iron Forest together with bereaved families who have lost their loved ones during the war, since October 7, 2023. This forest will serve as a living tribute to fallen civilians and IDF personnel. The dedication will take place two days before Tu Bishvat, the Jewish “New Year” for Trees.
A Forest of Memory and Renewal
“We are planting the future, renewing the forest, and breathing fresh air into the region,” says Daniel Ben-David, KKL-JNF‘s Western Negev Director. “In a place where life was cut short, we will plant new roots and create a forest of memory and renewal.”
Ben-David emphasized that the Swords of Iron Forest is not just another project; it is a testament to resilience, renewal, and the unwavering spirit of the Gaza Envelope’s residents, who have endured unimaginable hardship. This forest will symbolize hope, remembrance, and the promise of new beginnings.
>> Honor Their Memory – Plant a Tree of Remembrance
The site of the Nova Music Festival massacre, recently restored and upgraded by KKL-JNF, now welcomes 5,000 visitors daily. Given the overwhelming response, KKL-JNF expects even greater numbers to visit the new Swords of Iron Forest each year.
Last Tu Bishvat, KKL-JNF held a moving tree-planting ceremony at the Nova Festival site, where families of victims and survivors planted new life in the soil. Now, just a short distance away, the Swords of Iron Forest will take root as part of the vast 11,000-dunam Be’eri Forest, originally planted in the 1950s and 1960s. For over 12 years, and especially on October 7, this region has suffered severe destruction from ongoing rocket fire, incendiary balloons, and terror attacks from Gaza.
“For years, we have been restoring scorched land, rehabilitating wounded trees, and developing nature sites to improve the quality of life for residents,” says Ben-David. “We have built bike paths, hiking trails, and recreation areas.The Swords of Iron Forest is not just about trees – it is about resilience, remembrance, and looking ahead to the future.”
In addition to the tree-planting activities in memory of those who fell during the war, KKL-JNF is also engaged in restoration efforts in Israel’s northern forests. This week, it will hold a large and unique planting event in Biriya Forest, with the participation of hundreds of people, including local municipality leaders from the border communities, senior commanders of the IDF Northern Command, soldiers, local school students, and pre-military academy cadets.
A Living Tribute: The Tree-Planting Ceremony
Over 10,000 participants are expected to attend the unique and meaningful event on February 11, planting 2,000 trees in memory of their loved ones – creating a lasting tribute and legacy for those they have lost.
The dedication of the Swords of Iron Forest is led by KKL-JNF under the leadership of its Chairwoman, Ifat Ovadia-Luski, with the participation of Bituach Leumi and the Defense Ministry.
>> Forever Growing, Forever Remembered. Plant a Tree.
This article was written in cooperation with KKL-JNF.
After Trump took office as US President, reports were published that the new administration is demanding the deportation of the terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, who was responsible for the attack of the Sbarro restaurant, from Jordanian territory. Tamimi was released in the Gilad Shalit deal in 2011 after being sentenced to 16 life sentences.
In 2017, the US Department of Justice published a criminal complaint and issued an arrest warrant against al-Tamimi. The FBI added her to the top of its most wanted list and offered a cash reward for her extradition and prosecution.
Attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, who represents the family of Channa Nachenberg, an American citizen who was critically injured in the attack at the Sbarro restaurant, is now revealing the actions taken behind the scenes, and that she was even called to an emergency meeting with the US Department of Justice’s counterterrorism task force.
The meeting was at the King David Hotel and attended by U.S. federal prosecutors and the FBI. At the meeting the American officials revealed that they were making public an indictment of Hamas terrorist Ahlam al-Tamimi who had assisted in the bombing of Sbarros.Al-Tamimi had been released from an Israeli prison during a prisoner release in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and was living in Jordan. Al-Tamimi hosted a popular radio talk show where she regularly boasted about her membership in Hamas and the bombing she was involved in in Jerusalem.
Although the U.S. had demanded that Jordan extradite the freed terrorist responsible for the murder of 2 U.S. citizens and the maiming of many others such as Nachenberg, the Hashemite Kingdom refused. Jordan claimed there was no extradition treaty between Amaan and Washington.
Now as a prerequisite to meeting with President Trump the U.S. has demanded that King Hussein either deport the terrorist to a third country or extradite her to the U.S.
According to attorney Darshan-Leitner: “We have been waiting since the terrorist’s release in 2011 for the Americans to really demand her extradition. We were hopeful that this unrepentant terrorist murderer who has much Israeli and American blood on her hands, will finally be locked up, but this time with no chance of freedom. It’s outrageous that she was released by Israel and was allowed to live a life of comfort and freedom in Jordan. God willing she’ll finally face a real punishment for her Jew hatred and the lives she destroyed.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Egypt’s foreign minister on Tuesday it was important to ensure Hamas terrorists can never govern Gaza again, the State Department said, with their call coming after President Donald Trump suggested Egypt and Jordan should take more Palestinians.
Trump on Saturday floated a plan to “clean out” Gaza, where Israel’s war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis, in comments that echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes.
The suggestion by Trump was not mentioned in the US State Department statement released on Tuesday after the call between Rubio and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Jordan and Egypt had pushed back over the weekend after Trump’s comments that they should take in Palestinians from Gaza. Asked if this was a temporary or long-term solution, Trump had said: “Could be either.”“He (Rubio) also reinforced the importance of holding Hamas accountable,” the State Department said after Tuesday’s call.
“The Secretary reiterated the importance of close cooperation to advance post-conflict planning to ensure Hamas can never govern Gaza or threaten Israel again.”
Context
Rubio held a call a day earlier with Jordan’s King Abdullah, and the US statement after that call, too, did not mention Trump’s remarks on Palestinian displacement.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
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