The tunnel that was discovered by Israeli troops on Monday on the Gaza border. Photo: IDF.

Israeli soldiers on the border near the southern Gaza Strip on Monday discovered a tunnel that apparently had been dug for the purpose of carrying out a terrorist attack inside Israel.

Military sources told Israel Hayom that investigations would continue over coming days. It is not clear when the tunnel was dug and if it was used. It is believed that the tunnel collapsed due to recent rainy weather.

The tunnel, located near Kibbutz Nir Oz, was one of the longest discovered in recent years. An Israel Defense Forces source said the tunnel was similar to the one used in the June 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

“We view this incident gravely,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said. “This represents an attempt to conduct terrorist activity against civilians and security forces in Israeli territory.”