As the IDF prepares for another massive incursion into the Gaza Strip to stop Palestinian terrorists from firing rockets into Israel, and to stem Hamas’ massive arms buildup, five weapons smuggling tunnels have been discovered today in southern Gaza near Egypt.

IDF units operating in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday uncovered five tunnels used to smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Earlier Wednesday, as the army moved in force into southern Gaza, Hamas sources reportedly told an independent Palestinian news agency that the IDF had killed two Palestinians near Rafah, one of whom was active in preparing and executing the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit from the Kerem Shalom outpost on June 25.

According to Israel Radio, Ashraf el-Muashar had been a senior operative in Hamas’ military wing. The report, which has not been confirmed, came on the heels of a recent order issued to the IDF by the diplomatic echelon to begin drawing up plans for a widespread operation in the Gaza Strip in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing Shalit and to prevent the terror buildup in the Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, with Kassams still being fired at the western Negev and Hamas claiming to be building up an army, the IDF has set in motion preparations for a massive ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, one that senior officers in the Southern Command claim will be “larger than ever before.”

On Tuesday, in a sign of what is in store for the IDF, soldiers from the Beduin Reconnaissance Battalion, who were operating along the Philadelphi Route for the first time since the Gaza disengagement, uncovered two tunnels used to smuggle weapons into Gaza from Egypt. One of the tunnels was 12 meters deep.

The IDF has found 15 smuggling tunnels since the end of June, when the army intensified activity in the Gaza Strip following the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit.

Capt. Noa Meir, an army spokeswoman, said Israel would continue military operations as long as was necessary to block the flow of arms - which she said included guns, explosives and anti-tank rockets - into Gaza.

“The tunnels are part of a production line meant to kill Israelis, and it’s our job to stop it,” Meir said.