Israel arrests Hamas operative over plans of tunnel attacks

Israel has arrested a Palestinian operative of Hamas over charges of planning attacks against Israelis through tunnels from the Gaza Strip, the Shin Bet Security Agency revealed on Tuesday.

The arrest of 21-year-old Adal Shahada Sha'ar, from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, took place in early July, a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Sha'ar revealed in the interrogations carried out by the Shin Bet the Hamas' efforts to dig tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip near the Kerem Shalom border crossing and provided the tunnels' locations to his interrogators, according to another statement by the Shin Bet Security Agency.

According to the Shin Bet's statement, the Rafah resident played a logistic role in Hamas during Operation Protective Edge last summer, providing the group with explosive equipment, among others, as well as taking an active role in fighting against Israeli soldiers.

The 50-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strip ruler Hamas resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians and more than 70 Israelis, mainly soldiers, and the destruction of thousands of homes and basic infrastructure.

Sha'ar told his interrogators that Hamas had paved a new road along the Israeli border fence in order to stage attacks against vehicles traveling on the Israeli side.

The Shin Bet also said he provided information about the support Hamas receives for its operations from Iran, in the form of funds, war materials and electronic devices.

The suspect was indicted on July 31 at the Be'er Sheva District Court with being a member of a terrorist organization, attempted murder and contact with a foreign agent.