TEL AVIV – A CNN reporter was given a rare tour of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror tunnel in the Gaza Strip, in addition to gaining access to training exercises and rocket launchers used to fire missiles from the Hamas-ruled enclave into Israel.
CNN’s Ian Lee was blindfolded as he was led to each destination on his tour.
He described the tunnel as “hot and humid, narrow and low hanging. It feels claustrophobic,” in the report released on Sunday. He added, “Israel has a different name for them: terror tunnels.”
The tunnels have been used to smuggle arms into the Gaza Strip as well as send terrorists into Israeli territory with the aim of carrying out attacks.
One Islamic Jihad member, Abu Abdallah, told Lee the tunnels were used to protect the militants from Israeli fire.
“We use them as a shield against heavy missiles fired by F-35 and F-16 aircraft, as well as helicopters, so that our fighters can move and play their role to defend the Palestinian people”
“Don’t be afraid. God is with you,” Abdallah is heard telling fellow terrorists, before reciting verses from the Qur’an. READ MORE
