Israel says finds new Hamas tunnel

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military said Monday it has uncovered a Hamas tunnel that crosses from Gaza to Israel, the first time such a tunnel was discovered since the 2014 Gaza War.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that the tunnel was built by Hamas, apparently after the 2014 war, to "infiltrate Israel" and carry out "terror attacks" against the country's southern community near the Gaza border.

The spokesperson said the tunnel, found about 10 days ago by electronic detections means, has been destroyed.

"The tunnel uncovered in Israel demonstrates once more Hamas' warped priorities and continued commitment and investment in tools of violence," said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for Israel Defense Forces.

"The tunnel exposes Hamas' abhorrent intentions to attack the men, women, and children of southern Israel," he said.

Israel's 51-day-long offensive in Gaza in 2014 claimed the lives of at least 2,251 Palestinians, 65 percent of them civilians, according to the United Nations. It also saw the death of 72 Israelis, all but six were soldiers.

The violence ended with a fragile cease-fire on Aug 26, 2014.