IDF Reveals Massive Hamas Tunnel Network in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that they had exposed what they claim to be "the largest Hamas tunnel" in Gaza, stretching an impressive four kilometers (2.5 miles).

Secured several weeks ago but disclosed to the public just recently, the tunnel is broad enough to accommodate large vehicles, reaches depths of up to 50 meters underground, and boasts sophisticated amenities such as electricity, ventilation, and communication systems.

While not breaching into Israeli territory, the tunnel terminates 400 meters before the now-closed Erez Crossing on the northern Israeli-Gazan border, which was targeted during the attacks on October 7.

According to the IDF, this tunnel was a vital component of Hamas' "strategic infrastructure" and is slated for destruction. The military claims, supported by footage it shared, suggest that the tunnel was designed for Hamas troop movements and as a launching point for attacks. However, CNN could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage or the IDF's assertions.

In a statement on Sunday, the IDF alleged that the tunnel system was a project led by Muhammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. However, no evidence was provided to substantiate this claim.

The IDF asserts that it has exposed "hundreds of terror tunnel shafts throughout the Gaza Strip" and is actively engaged in locating and eliminating dozens of attack tunnel routes.

Hamas, on the other hand, has asserted the construction of an extensive network of 500 kilometers (311 miles) of tunnels beneath Gaza, though the accuracy of this figure remains uncertain.

These subterranean passages serve various purposes, including smuggling goods from Egypt, launching attacks into Israel, storing rockets and ammunition caches, and housing Hamas command and control centers. Victims of the October 7 attacks recounted being taken hostage, forced into these tunnels, and compelled to march for hours.

Last month, the IDF discovered a tunnel shaft within the Al-Shifa hospital complex, the largest medical facility in Gaza. This finding has been pivotal to the IDF's argument that there may be an underground network beneath the hospital. However, Hamas and hospital officials maintain that the facility has only been used for treating patients.

In a separate development, a US official disclosed on Tuesday that Israel has initiated the flooding of some of Gaza's tunnels with seawater as part of efforts to dismantle the underground network. The method is being cautiously tested on a limited basis, with potential plans to expand if successful in degrading the tunnel network on a larger scale.