IDF forces discovered a 12-meter-deep smuggling tunnel under the Philadelphi route between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon. Two pits that were most likely the initial stages of future tunnels were also found during the operation. Tunnels of this nature have been used for smuggling weapons and terrorists, as well as illegal immigrants. Tunnels were also used to conduct underground bombings against IDF bases in Rafah and the Erez Crossing.