Local Editor

In a recent report published on an "Israeli" TV channel, it was estimated that the "Israeli" entity has spent around one billion shekels [equal $250 million] on countering Hamas resistance movement's tunnel-building under the Gaza border since 2004.

The money went toward things like developing technology for the discovery of the tunnels, as well as other "operational costs," Channel 2 was quoted as saying.

"Israeli" occupation officials told the channel that locating and destroying the tunnels was a key priority for their forces.

According to the "Israeli" military, a lot of the work has been carried out in secrecy. It has also been reported that the US will invest $120 million into tunnel-detection technologies, along with a further $120 million from the Zionist entity.

Although the current report stated that the "Israeli" forces worked to destroy the tunnels since 2004, it was not until 2005 that they left the Gaza Strip letting some 8,000 of its occupiers settling there relocate. Two years later, Hamas restored control of the Strip.

Although the Zionists can boast destroying around 30 of the tunnels used by resistance during the 50-day war of 2014, Hamas said it's been busy rebuilding. Besides, "Israeli" settlers in the vicinity also complained of hearing and feeling the construction going on right underneath their feet.

Meanwhile, this forceful approach in Gaza, as well as the West Bank, was criticized by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Makarim Wibisono who called for an investigation into the "Israeli" practice of holding Palestinians, including children, without charge.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team