Watan-A report from the Israeli newspaper “Times of Israel” stated that the local council in the settlement of “Bait Haefer,” located in the territories of the occupied city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, has ordered further investigation following information about hearing digging sounds beneath their homes.
The newspaper, in a published report, mentioned that officials have instructed additional investigations, while residents of the town near the West Bank hear excavation activities.
The local council in the mentioned settlement plans to conduct two additional inspections after three previous examinations yielded no results.
According to the source, the local council in “Bait Haefer” stated on Monday that it has ordered more inspection operations after residents of the town, located hundreds of meters from the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, reported hearing digging sounds beneath their homes.
Recording of the sounds “and possible tunnels”
One of the settlers recorded the sounds and played them for the public broadcasting authority “Kan” during an interview in which he stated that residents have been complaining about suspected digging activities for years.
The regional council of “Bait Haefer” stated that in three rounds of tests to search for possible tunnels from the West Bank, nothing has been found so far. However, two additional inspections will be conducted in the coming days.
There is growing concern about potential resistance attacks, while Israel is engaged in battles against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the destructive attack carried out by the movement on October 7, causing unprecedented losses for the occupation in its history.
Tunnel Network
Israeli occupation forces operating in Gaza have uncovered parts of an extensive tunnel network belonging to the Hamas movement, believed to extend for hundreds of kilometers beneath the Palestinian coastal enclave.
The regional council of Bait Haefer told the “Walla News” website that tests are being conducted to alleviate concerns about possible attack tunnels being dug by militants from the West Bank.
The council added, “We take the reports seriously and are working extra time to verify the issue comprehensively and professionally, using various methods.”
According to the same source, the initial tunnel search was conducted by a specialized company on behalf of the council, the second by the Israeli army’s Home Front Command, and the third by the Ministry of Defense.
In the past, both Hamas and Hezbollah have dug attack tunnels into Israel from Gaza and Lebanon, respectively. Matan Bushner, a resident of Bait Haefer, told the “Kan” channel that there are “endless digging sounds” during the night.
He said, “We have been complaining for years that residents hear noises under their homes at night.” Bushner recorded noise at 4 a.m. for the station and mentioned that he only heard the noise coming from inside his own house, beneath the living room.
According to Bushner, there is no other clear explanation for the noise, ruling out any construction work in the area or activities by neighbors. He also stated that the homes of residents who reported the noise are in a straight line.
Bushner mentioned that the local council contacted the Israeli occupying army and spoke with an engineering officer about the issue. In response, the Israeli army, as reported by “Kan” channel, stated that it “takes the matter seriously and cares about residents’ reports, and security forces conducted sweeps in the area in cooperation with the local council.”
One resident of Bat Hefer, Jad Ohayon, told Channel 12, “Residents who complained about drilling sounds near their homes have been saying this for about 18 months.”
Ohayon stated that residents have communicated their concerns to senior officials, and their concerns have not diminished. He also pointed out that, in addition to reported drilling sounds, several shooting incidents occurred from the West Bank towards the town, causing damage to cars and buildings.
Member of the Knesset Eli Dallal (Likud) submitted an inquiry to Defense Minister Yigal Golan regarding residents’ concerns. Dallal asked Golan whether he was aware of the matter and what the security institution intends to do about it.
There is a security barrier separating Bat Hefer from Tulkarm, but the local council stated that, in light of complaints about drilling sounds, additional security measures have been taken.
Since 2014, residents of northern towns have raised concerns about the possibility of Hezbollah digging tunnels under the borders to carry out attacks, following the discovery of a wide network of tunnels dug by Hamas under the Gaza borders in the south. Some complained at that time about hearing drilling sounds.