Border Police forces in the Jerusalem envelope arrested a 36-year-old suspect from Qalandia refugee camp after he was caught digging a shaft near the separation barrier. In his initial interrogation, the suspect said he planned to dig a tunnel to infiltrate Jewish territory.
The incident began when lookouts at the Border Police’s Atarot command center spotted several suspects digging at the site. Forces rushed to the scene to arrest them, but as troops approached, the suspects fled. During the foot chase, officers fired warning shots in the air.
At the end of the pursuit, one suspect was arrested. He did not possess a legal permit. He led the troops to the shaft, where they found digging tools and numerous buckets that were allegedly used for the excavation.
The suspect and the evidence were transferred for further investigation to the Border Police’s Jerusalem envelope investigations and intelligence office. Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.