Israel is accelerating its excavations around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, extending from the Al-Buraq Plaza in the west, through to the Magharba Gate, to the Jaffa Gate (also known as Bab al-Khalil) northwest of the mosque's wall.
The excavations began around nine months ago and are being carried out under tight measures that prevent local Palestinians from knowing the details, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.
The secret tunnel, which is approximately 550 metres long, threatens to destroy Islamic, Canaanite and Roman archaeological sites, as Israeli authorities attempt to whitewash the history of the area with "Biblical Museums".
Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Trustees Council, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that access to the excavation sites is only granted to employees of the Israeli Antiquities Authority, who travel to the digs under strict security measures.
The excavation sites, which can be identified from high vantage points, are obscured by tents covering the area.
"The tunnel's extension passes under Jerusalem homes and shops in an irregular manner, posing a direct threat to the foundations of the southwestern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The occupation authorities have not yet issued any official announcement regarding these excavations, in an attempt to avoid any backlash," Abu Diab said.
Abu Diab said he attempted to reach the site, but was stopped by Israeli police, who took a photo of his ID card.
The tunnel runs through areas rich in ancient history and intersects the Cardo, a Roman thoroughfare that divided Jerusalem's old City between an eastern and western section. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area should not be tampered with, particularly given that the native Palestinians still live above ground in the area of the tunnelling.
The tunnel has also been designed to allow heavy equipment and settler vehicles to travel under the Old City.
Unlike previous tunnels, the new one begins inside the Old City and ends outside it at the Bab al-Khalil square, known to Israel as Mamilla Square, according to Abu Diab. This allows heavy equipment and large vehicles to access the tunnels, he says.
He added that the project has not been publicised by Israel, in an attempt to avoid any backlash.
According to reports, the project was discussed in a meeting on 16 July with the Israeli minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, just hours before he resigned.
Palestinians believe the matters spoken about in the meeting were quickly decided upon, in a way to quash any dissent over excavation work, despite the area containing historical landmarks dating back to the Mamluk era.
It is feared that the tunnelling will affect the foundations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is considered to be one of Islam's holiest sites. Jewish extremists, including members of Israel's government, hope to demolish the mosque and build a Jewish temple in its place.
According to the Al Quds International Institution, in 2025, there were at least 64 excavations and tunnels being carried out underneath Al-Aqsa Mosque. The group warned of "dangerous repercussions for the stability of the foundations of the Noble Sanctuary".
Abu Diab raised serious concerns over the latest developments, stating that Israel has started tour groups, which he said "misleads tourists" and leads them to believe they are experiencing "Jewish civilisation from 3,000 years ago".
Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and current head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, also told to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that a series of excavations have been carried out in recent years.
Sabri says that what Israel has promoted as ancient "Jewish areas" underground, are in fact old water channels used to collect water in the mosque and nearby homes. Israeli authorities drained the channels and expanded them, making them appear to be an interconnected network of underground tunnels, Sabri said.
Buildings in Jerusalem have already felt the effects of the excavations, particularly in the Bab al-Silsla and Bab al-Magharba areas, with some cracking or partially collapsing.
The new tunnel runs under the area where the Supreme Islamic Council is located.
"We will not abandon Al Aqsa or our buildings, because these decisions and actions represent propaganda, through which Zionist groups aim to achieve gains at the expense of the presence of Jerusalemites," Sabri said.
This article is based on a report from The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.