Israel on Monday reported it destroyed a terrorist tunnel that began in Khan Yunis in Gaza, and was detected in Israeli territory adjacent to Gaza. It was the first such discovery since Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and the decision was made to detonate the tunnel to render it useless to terrorists. The tunnel was discovered some time ago and the decision was made to eliminate it in a controlled blast, which took place on Monday.

It was later reported that seven terrorists were killed as a result, a death toll that climbed to at least twelve. There were many apologies heard from various Israeli agencies amid explanations the mission was to destroy the tunnel and it was not a targeted strike against terrorists. IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manlis explained the mission was to seal down the tunnel, adding accusations in the foreign media that illegal explosives were used are baseless.

Bayit Yehudi party chairman Minister Naftali Bennet challenged the IDF spokesman’s statements, questioning why the military is apologizing for eliminating terrorists apparently caught in the tunnel. He explained their very presence in the tunnel is proof they were not allies of Israel but involved in the construction of the tunnel, which was to one day serve for an attack inside Israel. He reminded the public the mission took place in Israel, not Gaza, and therefore, the terrorists who were killed were inside a terror tunnel under southern Israel, insisting there is no reason whatsoever to respond to media reports with apologies.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman responded to Bennet’s remarks, accusing him of harming national security by speaking out against the IDF Spokesman, a member of the cabinet.

“A briefing by the IDF Spokesperson should not be used as a pretext for a blatant attack on the IDF and its commanders,” the defense minister tweeted.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)