The Israel Defense Forces issued an unusual statement Thursday sharply criticizing the police, after the police spokesperson announced Wednesday that during an operation by the Samaria Crime Fighting Unit and Border Police forces in Qalqilya, a “tunnel under excavation reaching a depth of at least 25 meters” had been uncovered, along with weapons, ammunition, and fertilizer for making explosives.
In a direct response, the IDF launched a sharp attack on the police and emphasized in its statement that “contrary to official and irresponsible announcements on the matter,” what was actually found after examining the shafts were two shafts at depths of only about 12 meters. The military stated that the existence of a tunnel route was ruled out and any proximity of the shaft to the seam zone was ruled out.
Amidst the mounting tension, a police official commented on the matter, asserting that “it’s all about credit,” and added that resentment had already arisen overnight regarding the failure to fully attribute the operation. According to the official, “Every word published yesterday was accurate; everything is based on findings from the field. The IDF Spokesperson chose to issue a statement that understated the length of the tunnel.”
During that overnight operation carried out by IDF forces, Border Police in Judea and Samaria, and the Samaria District under the command of the Ephraim Brigade, alongside discovering the two shafts that sparked the clash between the agencies, forces seized weapons including an M16 rifle, a hunting rifle, a pistol and ammunition, and arrested four suspects in terrorist activity whose involvement is being investigated.
Security forces are continuing extensive operations in the area to locate and rule out the existence of additional shafts and weapons, and emphasize they will continue to operate with initiative and offensively to thwart terrorism throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and to protect the security of residents.