18-12-2023 (GAZA) Israeli forces engaged in combat with Hamas have exposed a remarkably extensive tunnel made of concrete and reinforced with iron, strategically designed to transport armed militants from Gaza to the border.
The ongoing Israeli offensive, launched in response to a deadly assault by Hamas gunmen on southern towns and army bases on October 7, aims to eliminate or render useless hundreds of kilometers of underground passages and bunkers.
One of the locations seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack was the Erez border crossing between Gaza and Israel. Just 100 meters south of the checkpoint, hidden within a sand dune, military officials displayed the exit point of what they claim to be a flagship Hamas undertaking.
According to the Israeli military, the tunnel descended diagonally to a depth of 50 meters, where it expanded to a relatively spacious 3 meters in height and width, complete with electrical fittings.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, revealed that the full length of the tunnel was 4 kilometers, reaching into the northern Gaza City—formerly the core of Hamas governance and now a war-ravaged combat zone.
Hagari described it as “the largest tunnel we found in Gaza, meant to target the (Erez) crossing,” emphasizing that it took years and millions of dollars to construct, with the capability for vehicles to drive through.
Hamas has yet to respond to a Reuters request for comment on the Israeli account.
Typically, tunnels showcased to the media by either Hamas or the Israeli military have been narrow and low, designed for the single-file movement of gunmen on foot. The tunnel presented by Hagari featured vertically plunging shafts, suggesting its integration into a broader network.
The challenge of these tunnels for Israel’s engineers lies in the concern that they may conceal hostages held by Hamas, slowing down the offensive and raising alarm over the steep toll on Palestinian civilians, a matter of concern for world powers.
Hagari screened a video, allegedly showing Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and a senior operative in the group, sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle purportedly driving inside the tunnel. Notably, on October 29, Israel’s Ynet news site reported that troops killed several gunmen who attacked Erez after accessing the area through a tunnel.
As of now, Hagari’s office has not responded to queries regarding whether this incident is related to the tunnel he presented.
EXPOSED: The biggest Hamas terrorist tunnel discovered.
This massive tunnel system branches out and spans well over four kilometers (2.5 miles). Its entrance is located only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez Crossing—used by Gazans on a daily basis to enter Israel for work… pic.twitter.com/RcjK5LbvGL
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 17, 2023
