Weaponry carried by the assailants. Photo: IDF.

The Israel Defense Forces thwarted a major terror infiltration attempt by Hamas terrorists early Thursday morning.

The IDF said its forces identified approximately 13 gunmen attempting to enter Israel from Gaza through a terror tunnel constructed by Hamas. The underground pathway ran from the southern Gaza Strip and emerged just two kilometers from the Israeli community of Sufa. “‹

“‹In a combined security services effort the IDF said its forces operated in order to halt the impending attack striking the group of would-be assailants from the air.

No injuries were reported to IDF forces.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman said, “This morning, our forces successfully foiled a terror attack that could have had devastating and deadly consequences to Israel. The threat of terror tunnels, based on Hamas’ abhorrent strategy, is yet another example of the many attempts made by Hamas to violate Israel’s sovereignty and security, by carrying out lethal attacks against Israeli civilians. As we have proven in recent days, Hamas will not be able to launch strikes against Israel without consequences, we will continue to prevent, pursue and counter-strike the actions of the terrorist organization with its terror intentions.”

Terror tunnels are among the many methods that have been used by Hamas to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.

Another IDF Spokesman, Brigadier General Motti Almoz, commented after the attempt that judging by the equipment and weaponry the terrorists were carrying, their planned assault would have been devastating. “We could have woken up to a horrible morning with many dead and wounded. Thanks to our alertness and preparedness it ended this way.”

The IDF estimates that there are some 10 more tunnels ready for use.

During the first days of Israel’s ongoing Operation ‘Protective Edge’ the IDF thwarted two infiltration attempts via the sea. In the first incident four Hamas frogmen were spotted making their way up a beach on Israel’s southern shores towards the Kibbutz of Zikim. The terrorists were halted by IDF infantry who ambushed them on the Israeli shore. All infiltrators were killed in the gunfight that ensued. One soldier was lightly wounded.

Watch an IDF video of the attempted attack below: