NEW DELHI: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have discovered a four-kilometre-long, expansive Hamas tunnel under the surface of the Gaza Strip.
According to a Reuters report, the IDF discovered a tunnel which had been strategically designed to facilitate the movement of militants, as well as vehicles. It was discovered as a part of Israel’s broader offensive to target underground passages and bunkers along the Strip.
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Approximately 100 metres south of the Erez checkpoint, concealed within a sand dune, military officials showcased what was described as a flagship Hamas project.
In the video, it could be seen that the tunnel descended diagonally to a depth of 50 meters, expanding to a spacious 3 meters in height and width with electrical fittings.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Chief Military Spokesperson, disclosed that the full length of the tunnel measured 4 kilometres (2.5 miles), enabling it to extend into northern Gaza City—an area once governed by Hamas and now a heavily impacted combat zone.
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Hagari emphasised that this was the largest tunnel found in Gaza, which was specifically designed to target the Erez crossing. However, details regarding whether this particular tunnel was utilised in the October 7 attack were not specified.
As part of the briefing, Hagari also shared a video featuring Mohammed Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and a senior operative in the group, inside a vehicle travelling through the tunnel.
Notably, on October 29, Israel’s Ynet news site reported the killing of several gunmen who attacked Erez after accessing the area through a tunnel. However, there have been no confirmation regarding the incident being linked to Hagari’s tunnel.
Presently, his office has not provided any comments on the matter.
The offensive was initiated in response to a series of attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, launching a swathe of murders and kidnappings in southern Israeli towns and army bases. Notably, Hamas had seized control of the Erez border crossing between Gaza and Israel during this assault.
As opposed to the narrow and low-profile tunnels showcased in the media, Hagari’s presentation featured a tunnel with vertically plunging shafts, suggesting a broader network.
These facts have posed a considerable challenge for Israeli engineers who have cited concerns regarding hostages being hidden by the militant outfit within the shafts