New Tunnels Of Attack Discovered By Israeli Forces

A new of attack tunnel was uncovered by Israeli forces operating along the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip.

It is not clear if the tunnel is a new excavation, or is left-over from the 2014 Gaza war, called Operation Protective Edge by the Israelis.

The Israeli military says it has discovered another "attack" tunnel entering Israel from Gaza.

It is the second infiltration tunnel to be found in a month and comes as fighting escalates between Hamas and the Israeli army.

IDF spokesman Peter Lerner said Israeli troops operating in the area have come under mortar fire over the past two days.

"We stay committed to safeguarding the people of southern Israel while Hamas is committed to violence and terror. No one should be living in fear of being attacked in their home from terrorists infiltrating from underground," he said.

Israel said one of its tanks responded and fired towards the threat and that counter-terrorist operations will continue.

Israel also launched airstrikes on several Hamas targets. 

The Palestinian group's armed wing accused Israeli forces of encroaching into Gazan territory and said it was ready to respond.

"We will not permit this aggression to continue," it said.

It is the most serious escalation in violence between Hamas and Israel since the 2014 war, which lasted 50 days.

For the past few months, Israeli forces have been trying to uncover Hamas' tunnels amidst reports that the organisation has been building new ones.