Researcher Moaz Agbariya said that the Israeli occupation penetrated the wall of the Old City while digging the “new tunnel” that extends to the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Agbariya stated that the new tunnel extending from Wadi Hilweh in Silwan to Bab al-Maghariba Street penetrated the wall of the old city to the Umayyad palaces, a penetration that did not exist a month ago.

Agbariya pointed out that workers are continuing to dig the new tunnel in two directions, the first from Ain Silwan to Wadi Hilweh in Silwan, and the second from Wadi Hilweh to the Umayyad palaces.

Agbaria stated that the extension of the new tunnel is 15 meters under Bab al-Maghariba Street, while the width of the tunnel is about four metres.

Agbariya confirmed that there is an ancient archaeological tunnel extending from Ain Silwan to the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a water canal from the Roman era.

Agbaria explained that during excavations, occupation workers remove Islamic antiquities, such as niches and arches, while keeping the Byzantine and Roman antiquities.