IDF Uncovers Extensive Hamas Tunnel in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a significant discovery on Sunday, claiming to have uncovered the largest tunnel built by Hamas in Gaza. Spanning four kilometers (2.5 miles), this tunnel represents a notable find in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to the IDF, the tunnel, which was secured a few weeks ago but only revealed to the public recently, is large enough to accommodate a sizable vehicle. It extends up to 50 meters underground and is outfitted with essential systems such as electricity, ventilation, and communication. The IDF emphasized that the tunnel does not cross into Israeli territory, terminating 400 meters shy of the Erez Crossing on the northern Israeli-Gazan border.
The IDF described the tunnel as part of Hamas' "strategic infrastructure" and announced plans to destroy it. In a video shared by the IDF, the Israeli military alleged that the tunnel served dual purposes for Hamas: facilitating troop movements and serving as a launch point for attacks. However, CNN has noted that it could not independently verify the footage or the IDF's claims.
Further, the IDF alleged that the tunnel system was a project spearheaded by Muhammad Sinwar, identified as the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The IDF, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate this claim.
The IDF has stated its ongoing efforts to expose and dismantle "hundreds of terror tunnel shafts throughout the Gaza Strip" and is working to locate and destroy numerous attack tunnel routes. Hamas, on its part, has claimed to have constructed a network of tunnels spanning 500 kilometers (311 miles) under Gaza. These tunnels have various uses, including smuggling goods from Egypt, launching attacks into Israel, storing rockets and ammunition, and housing Hamas command and control centers.
Notably, some individuals taken hostage during the October 7 attacks reported being taken through these tunnels, forced to march for hours. Additionally, last month, the Israeli military uncovered a tunnel shaft on the grounds of the Al-Shifa hospital complex, Gaza's largest medical facility. This discovery has fueled the IDF's suspicion of an extensive tunnel network beneath the hospital. While Israeli forces claim Hamas operates a command center beneath the hospital, Hamas and hospital officials maintain it is solely used for treating patients.
In a separate development, a US official informed CNN that Israel has begun experimenting with flooding some of Gaza's tunnels with seawater. This method, currently being tested on a limited basis, aims to destroy the underground network. Should this approach prove successful, it could be expanded to degrade Hamas' tunnel network more extensively.
This latest discovery by the IDF and the ongoing efforts to neutralize the tunnel network highlight the complex and multi-faceted nature of the conflict in Gaza, involving both underground warfare and the broader geopolitical struggle in the region.