IDF Seals Two Qalqilya Shafts With Concrete, Reiterates No Tunnel Was Found

Engineering forces from the IDF's Efraim Brigade permanently sealed two shafts in Qalqilya with concrete on Thursday morning, October 29, the military announced. The openings had been discovered the previous month and had already received an initial closure immediately after they were found. The IDF said the permanent work involved pouring concrete into the openings. Reiterating the conclusions of its completed engineering examination, it described them as "entry openings without exit openings." The military said it had ruled out a tunnel route connected to them and that the openings were not near the seam area. In its September 24 account of the discovery, the IDF said forces had operated in Qalqilya under Efraim Brigade command following intelligence about weapons. The operation involved IDF troops, Judea and Samaria Border Police and the police's Judea and Samaria District. The military reported finding two shafts approximately 12 meters deep. That September statement also listed weapons found near the shafts: an M16 rifle, a hunting rifle, a pistol and ammunition. Its engineering assessment at the time ruled out a connected tunnel route. Thursday's announcement concerned the permanent sealing of those same openings, following the initial closure reported immediately after their discovery.