JERUSALEM, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Israeli security authorities say they have uncovered a tunnel out of the Gaza Strip that is suspected to have been constructed for terrorist operations.
Israeli Defense Forces say the tunnel, located approximately 270 yards from Gaza Strip's security fence, allegedly was designed by Hamas for the abduction of Israeli soldiers. IDF soldiers conducted a raid of the underground passage that prompted a firefight, IDF reported.
Wednesday morning two IDF soldiers who were wounded in the exchange were taken to the hospital. Officials say several of the suspects engaged in the firefight also sustained injuries. Details on the injuries were not released.
Officials were quick to point out that the current calm between Israeli forces and Gaza remains and that the raid was an isolated operation to deter a security threat. "There is no intention to disrupt the calm; rather the purpose of the operation was to remove an immediate and dangerous threat posed by Hamas," the release said.
