On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered the largest-ever Hamas attack tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip, close to the Erez border crossing with Israel. The extensive tunnel, spanning around four kilometers (2.5 miles), plunges 50 meters (165 feet) underground in some areas and is wide enough for vehicles to traverse. Fortunately, it did not breach Israeli territory.
The IDF credited the Combat Engineering Corps’ elite Yahalom unit and the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade for the discovery. Using advanced intelligence and technology, they meticulously scanned and cleared the tunnel, exposing its strategic network with multiple branches, junctions, plumbing, electricity, and communication lines. Blast doors were also found in some sections, designed to impede Israeli forces.
The tunnel’s discovery shed light on Hamas’s elaborate subterranean infrastructure, emphasizing its potential threat to civilians in Gaza border communities. Col. Haim Cohen, commander of the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade, asserted that the tunnel’s width suggested intentions for vehicle-borne raids against Israeli civilians.
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The IDF underscored the tunnel’s role in facilitating the movement of vehicles and housing “many weapons” belonging to Hamas. A video statement by Col. Cohen highlighted the tunnel’s strategic significance in the context of the ongoing ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza, providing valuable insights into the terror organization’s tunnel project.
Notably, the Erez Humanitarian Crossing, a symbol of hope and coexistence until Hamas’s October 7 attack, was located just 400 meters from one of the tunnel’s shafts. The crossing had previously facilitated the movement of thousands of Palestinians into Israel for work and medical care.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF International Spokesperson, condemned Hamas’s persistent investment in terrorist tunnels, prioritizing attacks over supporting the people of Gaza. The IDF continues to deploy advanced operational, intelligence, and technological means to dismantle Hamas’s terror tunnels across the Gaza Strip.
In light of recent hostilities, the IDF has intensified efforts to locate and destroy numerous attack tunnels, contributing to the systematic dismantling of Hamas’s infrastructure. The uncovering of this extensive tunnel network highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Israel in dealing with the persistent threat posed by Hamas.