Israel builds underground wall after Gaza tunnel trauma

KIBBUTZ NIRIM, Israel — Israel is pressing ahead with construction of an underground barrier along the border with the Gaza Strip in an ambitious project meant to halt the threat of attack tunnels built by the Hamas militant group.

Gadi Yarkoni, head of the local Eshkol regional council, said the project is a key reason that the area has enjoyed a surge in growth and attracted young families since a devastating war with Hamas three years ago.

During the 2014 war, Hamas militants on several occasions made their way into Israel through a tunnel network that caught Israel off guard.

Israeli defense officials have said little about the new barrier project or how much has been completed.

Atai Shelach, a retired colonel and former commander of the Israeli military’s “Yahalom” unit in charge of dismantling the militants’ tunnels, said the new barrier would be a game changer but would not solve the problem on its own.