Major Tunnel Unearthed by IDF Near Gaza-Israel Border

The Israel Defense Forces have announced a major find in the northern Gaza Strip, close to the Erez border crossing with Israel. This tunnel, said to be the largest Hamas has ever constructed, spans about four kilometers (2.5 miles) and reaches depths up to 50 meters (165 feet) in certain sections. Impressively, it is also large enough to allow vehicles to pass through.

Tunnel’s Strategic Position and Features

A key feature of this tunnel is its location near the Erez Crossing, just 400 meters away, which was a vital point for Palestinian civilians entering Israel for employment and healthcare purposes prior to the escalation of tensions. The tunnel contains various branches, junctions, and is outfitted with utilities such as plumbing, electricity, and communication lines, in addition to blast doors, presumably installed to hinder access by Israeli forces.

Cutting-Edge Construction Techniques

The IDF’s specialized Yahalom unit, part of the Combat Engineering Corps, along with the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division, used sophisticated intelligence and technology to find and neutralize this elaborate tunnel network. The construction’s complexity, including the use of tunnel-boring machines thought to have been smuggled into Gaza, indicates Hamas’s significant investment in this underground system.

Implications of the Tunnel’s Discovery

Colonel Haim Cohen, the commander of the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade, pointed out that the tunnel’s size indicates it was potentially designed for vehicle-based incursions into Gaza border communities. The IDF’s exposure of this tunnel has provided valuable information about the scope and nature of Hamas’s efforts to construct a comprehensive underground attack network.

IDF’s Strategic Response

Following this revelation, the IDF has intensified its operations against Hamas in Gaza. This response includes a focused effort on dismantling Hamas infrastructure, specifically targeting its tunnel network. To date, over 800 tunnel entrances have been identified, with approximately 500 already demolished. The IDF has also experimented with pumping seawater into the tunnels, a strategy aimed at collapsing the tunnels and forcing Hamas operatives to emerge.

Consideration for Hostages

Amidst the military action against these militant tunnels, the IDF is taking care to avoid endangering hostages who are believed to be held in similar structures. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, stressed that military operations are guided by precise intelligence regarding the location of hostages to ensure their safety.

Broader Conflict and Humanitarian Impact

The intensification of conflict in the Gaza Strip, triggered by a Hamas offensive on October 7, has resulted in significant human and material losses, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Reports from Gaza’s Hamas-led health ministry indicate high numbers of civilian casualties, though these numbers are said to include both Hamas members and civilians inadvertently killed by misfired Palestinian rockets. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing hostage crisis, with continued efforts to secure the release and recovery of those held captive.

Final Thoughts

The unearthing of this extensive attack tunnel by Hamas highlights the continuing complexity and difficulty of the situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the IDF persists with its operations in Gaza, its dual focus remains on dismantling terrorist operations and ensuring the protection of innocent civilians and hostages amid the hostilities.