Fears of Partial Collapse at Al-Aqsa Mosque Due to Israeli Tunnels

Fears of Partial Collapse at Al-Aqsa Mosque Due to Israeli Tunnels
Fears of Partial Collapse at Al-Aqsa Mosque Due to Israeli Tunnels
Israel continues to excavate tunnels around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and within the Old City of Jerusalem, under the pretext of conducting archaeological work, but in reality aiming to assert that “Jerusalem is a Jewish city,” according to Marouf Al-Rifai, advisor to the Jerusalem Governorate.اضافة اعلان

Al-Rifai warned that these excavations could cause parts of Al-Aqsa Mosque to collapse as a result of cracks in the ground structure caused by the digging activities.

He explained that the tunnels risk damaging Palestinian landmarks, such as historic houses and ancient schools, and could weaken the soil beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening the stability of its foundations. “These excavations lack any scientific methodology and violate the status quo laws,” he said, stressing that “they serve purely political purposes.”

Al-Rifai emphasized that Israel’s tunnel projects in Jerusalem are not archaeological endeavors, but part of a systematic political plan aimed at Judaizing the city and altering its historical and geographical identity.

He added that the tunnels are being used to assert Israeli control over holy sites in Jerusalem — a move that raises deep concerns about the future of the city and its Palestinian identity.

A Political Project

Al-Rifai stated that the tunnels are part of a long-term political project to Judaize the Old City and change its features.

He noted that the Israeli excavations focus on damaging religious landmarks, including the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque and surrounding areas, in an effort to impose Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites. “Instead of following recognized archaeological standards — digging from top to bottom to uncover historical layers — the excavations are being carried out in a way that reshapes the area entirely to fit political goals,” he added.

The Tunnels and Funding

According to Al-Rifai, the tunnels are funded by the Israeli government, with one major project — a settlement tunnel in the Silwan neighborhood south of Al-Aqsa called the ‘Pilgrims’ Road’ — costing around 50 million shekels. The tunnel extends 600 meters from the Mughrabi Gate Plaza to the Western Wall.

He described it as part of a series of excavation projects designed to reinforce the Israeli narrative and promote false historical claims about Jerusalem’s past. While the occupation authorities promote these digs as “archaeological discoveries,” they are, in fact, political projects meant to consolidate control over the Old City through settlement infrastructure.

Al-Rifai listed several other tunnels, including the Hasmonean Tunnel (approximately 500 meters long and 6–7 meters deep), which starts from below Bab al-Silsila and extends along the western wall of Al-Aqsa to the Via Dolorosa.

The tunnel includes the so-called “Pit of Generations,” “Robinson’s Arch” (a Jewish prayer area beneath the Tankiziyah School), the “Rimon Synagogue,” and a massive stone measuring 13 meters long and weighing around 572 tons. Another tunnel, known as the Lower Bridge Tunnel, extends 150 meters at a depth of 15 meters, running beneath Bab al-Silsila, the Tankiziyah School, and the Khalidiyah Library.

He also pointed out that these tunnels contain archaeological remains, a water system, ritual baths (mikvaot), and even a Roman theater. In 1996, one of the tunnels’ exits was opened, sparking the Tunnel Uprising.

Another tunnel, known as the Silwan (Giv’ati) Tunnel, begins in Silwan and stretches toward the Mughrabi Gate, with another exit near Davidson Park by the Umayyad Palaces — part of a growing network of tunnels beneath East Jerusalem designed to expand Israeli control.

He mentioned additional tunnels, including one beneath Damascus Gate (Bab al-Amoud) — currently closed to visitors — and another between Herod’s Gate (Bab al-Sahira) and Damascus Gate, running below streets connecting Palestinian neighborhoods inside the Old City. There is also the Qarmi Quarter Tunnel, located within the Old City, which Israel is gradually expanding as part of efforts to bring the area under its control.

Al-Rifai noted that the tunnels are dug at varying depths between 6 and 15 meters, spreading beneath key historic and populated areas that are part of Palestine’s cultural heritage.

He concluded that these tunnels are not archaeological projects, as Israel claims, but part of a broader campaign to alter the demographic and architectural character of East Jerusalem.

(Source: Al-Mamlaka TV)