On May 21, the Israel Air Force struck two tunnels in the southern and
one in the northern Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported. The military said the tunnels began about
one kilometer from the Israeli border.
"The tunnels were dug one kilometer from the security fence and intended
for infiltrating Israel and executing terror attacks against Israeli
civilians or IDF soldiers," the military said. "Direct hits were
identified."
Hamas and its Palestinian militia allies have been constructing tunnels
toward Israel since at least 2003. In 2006, one such tunnel reached an
Israeli military base, which resulted in the abduction of a corporal, Gilad
Shalit.
Military sources said Hamas has also used tunnels to store and launch
missiles and rockets from the Gaza Strip to Israel. They said Palestinian
gunners have fired about 50 missiles, mortars and rockets into Israel during
2010.
"The IDF holds Hamas solely responsible for terror emanating from the
Gaza Strip," the military said.
Hamas has also sent gunmen to infiltrate Israel's border. Hours after
the Israeli air strike, at least two Palestinian gunmen approached the Gaza
border fence alongside Israel's Kibbutz Nirim, which sparked Israeli
military fire.
Later, Hamas said two young Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire.
An Israeli soldier was reported to have been injured by Palestinian sniper
fire.