Israel is "systematically crippling Hamas' terror tunnel capabilities. They have to understand that they really shouldn't be testing us," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, after the IDF revealed it had demolished another cross-border tunnel dug by the terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip.
This was the 15th terror tunnel discovered and destroyed this year.
Lauding the IDF, Netanyahu said, "We are sparing no effort and are determined to maintain Israel's security."
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Thursday that the tunnel began near the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis and extended for about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) to reach across the border about 200 meters (660 feet) into Israeli territory.
Inside Gaza, the tunnel was linked to a vast network of underground passageways that are part of Hamas' terror tunnel grid.
The IDF said the tunnel was discovered several months ago and, once secure, was used to improve Israeli troops' tunnel warfare capabilities before Engineering Corp troops carried out a series of operations Thursday to render it unusable.
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis told reporters that the tunnel "reflected the evolution in Hamas' building methods and their use of different materials. The tunnel had several junctions connecting it to a grid of other attack tunnels, it had power and communication lines and overall, this was a high-standard project."
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted, "We never stop working, above or below ground. The terror tunnel we destroyed this morning is another tunnel Hamas won't be able to use in the next war. Every day, we get closer to eliminating the tunnel threat."
The IDF also posted on Twitter, saying, "We estimate that $3 million worth of cement, electrical equipment and labor were invested in this tunnel instead of in health care, education, or food for the people of Gaza."
Later, the IDF issued a statement saying that "the IDF's technological abilities are constantly improving and we will continue to forge ahead on the issue of detecting and destroying terror tunnels, all while simultaneously building the tunnel barrier."
Israel is currently building a long underground and aboveground barrier along the border to counter Hamas' terror tunnel system. It includes advanced sensors underground and a 6-meter (20-foot) fence above ground, similar to the one along the Israeli-Egyptian border.
The expected cost of construction is over NIS 3 billion ($830 million).
In a video posted on social media, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon appealed to Gazans.
"Despite your plight, the terrorist organization Hamas continues to invest huge sums of money in terrorism, instead of caring for you and developing civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip," Rokon says in the video.
"Instead of using cement, metal and concrete aggregates to build schools, kindergartens and hospitals, Hamas uses these materials to build the death tunnels of terrorism. We [Israel] thwart terrorism and destroy the tunnels, and the money goes down the drain. Those who ultimately lose are you, the residents of Gaza."
Meanwhile, amid ongoing efforts by Egypt to mediate a long-term cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Qatar announced Thursday that it will give Gaza $150 million in emergency aid.
A senior source in Ramallah said the Palestinian Authority had not been informed of the plan, criticizing it as "an orchestrated move by Israel and Hamas to go over the heads of the Palestinian leadership."
