Hamas dismisses Israeli statement on unveiling new tunnel

GAZA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel claims that it has discovered a tunnel underneath the border between the country and the Gaza Strip, which Hamas has dismissed as nothing more than an attempt by the Israelis to cover up their "crimes."

"The occupation is marketing fake achievements and victories to the Israeli society to use it in its electoral bazaar," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum in a statement on Monday.

"It is the right of the armed Palestinian factions to work in every way to enhance their capabilities" in the face of "Israel's arrogance and crimes against the Palestinian people," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli army announced that it discovered a two-lane tunnel dug by Hamas that crossed the separation fence from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.

The statement added that the tunnel did not penetrate the security obstacle, a high-tech underground wall completed one year ago and used to protect Israelis from attacks launched by Hamas.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 and is currently ruled by Hamas. The two sides have fought several wars in the Palestinian enclave in recent years.