Khaberni - Israel continues to dig tunnels around the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Old City of Jerusalem under the claims of archaeological work; however, it aims to prove that “Jerusalem is a Jewish city,” according to Jerusalem Governorate’s advisor, Marouf Al-Rifai.
Al-Rifai confirmed on Tuesday that there are concerns that these excavations could lead to the collapse of parts of the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to the cracks caused by the diggings in the ground structure.
He mentioned that the excavations might destroy some Palestinian landmarks, such as archaeological houses and ancient schools, and also affect the soil under the Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening the stability of the foundations, stating, "The diggings lack scientific methodology and are a violation of the status quo law, clearly aiming at mere political objectives."
He pointed out that the Israeli tunnel projects in Jerusalem are not just archaeological digs, but are part of a systematic political project aimed at Judaizing the city and altering its historical and geographical reality.
Al-Rifai continued, stating that the tunnels aim to impose Israeli control over the sacred sites in Jerusalem, a step that raises concerns about the future of the holy city and its Palestinian identity.
Political Project
Al-Rifai affirmed that the tunnels are part of a long-term political project aimed at Judaizing the Old City and changing its landmarks.
He highlighted that the Israeli excavations focus on destroying religious landmarks, including the walls of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the surrounding areas, in an attempt to impose Israeli control over Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy sites, showing that Israel demolishes existing landmarks and alters the site in a way that fits the Israeli narrative.
The Tunnels and Funding
Al-Rifai stated that the tunnels are carried out with Israeli government funding, where the total cost of digging a settlement tunnel in the Silwan neighborhood south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, named "Pilgrims' Route," was estimated at 50 million shekels, extending around 600 meters from Bab al-Maghariba to the Western Wall.
He considered it part of a series of digging projects aimed at supporting the Israeli narrative and establishing fabricated facts about the history of Jerusalem. While the occupation promotes these excavations as "archaeological discoveries," they are, in reality, a political project aimed at imposing control over the Old City of Jerusalem and serving its alleged narrative.
He mentioned the existence of several tunnels, including the "Hasmonean tunnel," approximately 500 meters long and 6-7 meters deep, starting from under Bab al-Silsila and extending from inside the Western Wall Plaza along the western wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Via Dolorosa.
The tunnel also includes what is called the "Generations' Pit" and "Robinson's Arch," which is a prayer area for Jews located under the Tankiziyya School, as well as the "Rimonim Synagogue" and a large stone that is 13 meters long and weighs about 572 tons. There is also the big lower bridge tunnel, 150 meters long and 15 meters deep underground, located under Bab al-Silsila, the Tankiziyya School, and the Khalidi Library.
Al-Rifai pointed to "the landmarks that include archaeological traces and a water facility and mikveh (water purification baths) in addition to a Roman theater, and in 1996, an exit for the tunnel was opened, which played a role in the outbreak of the tunnel uprising."
He continued that there is a tunnel named Silwan (Givati), which starts from the town of Silwan and extends to Bab al-Maghariba, with another exit at the "Davidson" garden near the Umayyad Palaces, and it is part of an expanding network of digs under East Jerusalem, areas that the occupation aims to control through these settlement tunnels.
Al-Rifai also mentioned the existence of Bab al-Amud tunnel, where visitor entry is prohibited, and it is one of the tunnels that Israel continues to dig under the Old City, and a tunnel between Bab al-Sahira and Bab al-Amud, located on one of the streets connecting the Palestinian neighborhoods inside the Old City. Also, there is the Al-Qirmi neighborhood tunnel, located inside the Old City as well, and it is one of the tunnels Israel is gradually expanding in an attempt to turn the area into zones under its control.
He confirmed that the tunnels are conducted at varying depths, from 6 to 15 meters underground, extending across vital areas representing part of Palestinian history.
Al-Rifai considered that the tunnels are not just archaeological projects as Israel claims, but are a step within a series of actions targeting demographic and architectural changes in East Jerusalem.
