US ambassador denounces Gaza terrorist tunnels

Dan Shapiro restates his country’s support of ‘Israel’s right and ability to self-defense’

Brig. Gen. Michael Edelstein, commander of the Gaza division, entering an offensive tunnel that was discovered in October 2013. (Mitch Ginsburg/ Times of Israel staff)
Brig. Gen. Michael Edelstein, commander of the Gaza division, entering an offensive tunnel that was discovered in October 2013. (Mitch Ginsburg/ Times of Israel staff)

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism following an IDF guided tour of a recently unearthed tunnel running beneath the border with the Gaza Strip Thursday.

“US condemns terrorist tunnels, supports Israel’s right and ability to self-defense, and is focused on advancing negotiations for peace,” tweeted the American ambassador following the tour.

Shapiro called the recently discovered tunnel in the fields of Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha “simply shocking,” adding that the tunnels’ “sole purpose is to conduct violent attacks on Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.”

The “extremely advanced and well prepared” tunnel, according to Brig. Gen. Michael Edelstein, commander of the IDF Gaza Division, was “intended for terror in the vicinity of civilian communities.”

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