On the recordJuly 29, 2014
Thank you, Mr. King. Mr. King mentioned the tunnels. I would like to illustrate this, if I could, and just interject very quickly. This is a photograph of the tunnels. These aren't dark 2-foot holes dug into the ground. These are sophisticated, expensive, complicated contraptions that have been put together--30 tunnels, not including the more than two dozen that were discovered prior to Operation Protective Edge. They run for miles. They are dug more than 60 feet beneath the ground, so that they avoid seismic detection. Some of them are large enough that you can drive a vehicle through them. You think: What is their purpose? Is it to smuggle men, weapons, or material? It is to in some cases, unfortunately, smuggle and hide those who have been captured and are being kidnapped. Hamas operatives have been intercepted emerging from the tunnels with tranquilizers and handcuffs--obviously, to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Once again, how much better would the situation have been for the citizens of Gaza if these resources and this money had been diverted? Instead of building tunnels, build infrastructure and schools and hospitals and other things that the citizens there could use. Thank you, Mr. King, for your comments. I would like now to yield to my good friend, Mr. Daines from Montana. He is a successful businessman who sits on the Homeland Security, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees.
