Extensive Hidden Network Discovered in Northern Gaza by IDF

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have unveiled an extensive tunnel network running beneath Northern Gaza, engineered by Hamas.

At a Glance

The Israeli military discovered a large tunnel shaft in Gaza near the Erez crossing and an Israeli military base.
The tunnel spans over four kilometers and is wide enough for cars, connecting to a broader tunnel network in Gaza.
The tunnel was used to facilitate the transit of vehicles, militants, and supplies for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
On Oct. 7, militants breached the wall near the Erez crossing, attacked the base, killed at least three soldiers, and kidnapped others.
The attack led to a war that has lasted over 10 weeks, resulting in more than 18,000 deaths in Gaza.

Unveiling the Tunnel Network

The Israeli military uncovered a significant tunnel shaft in Gaza near the Erez crossing and an Israeli military base. This discovery comes amid heightened tensions following the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, which led to a prolonged conflict. The vast network, extending over four kilometers and broad enough to accommodate vehicles, marks a new height in the complexity of militant infrastructure. The IDF’s reveal indicates the extent of Hamas’s capability to launch covert operations beneath the surface.

Israeli officials, including Major Nir Dinar, have stated the tunnel wasn’t detected due to its termination within Gaza’s border and its cover under a garage. This detail shines light on the sustainable infrastructure utilized by Hamas to evade detection. The tunnel’s construction reflects a significant investment in resources, further demonstrating the militants’ long-term strategic planning.

🔴Another terrorist tunnel network in Gaza was discovered passing underneath a hospital and a university by IDF troops—running for over 10km between northern and southern Gaza.

This tunnel network is used by Hamas terrorists to move between different areas in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/3mWOiuMVDC

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 26, 2024

Hamas’s Strategic Movements

The IDF has been explicit about Hamas’s usage of the tunnels for vehicle-borne raids, as pointed out by Col. Haim Cohen of the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade. Unveiling Hamas’s tactics, the tunnel network has facilitated the movement of militants and supplies, underscoring the strategic depth and military engineering capabilities of the group. This elaborate construction features branches, junctions, plumbing, electricity, communication lines, and blast doors.

“Its width indicates that it was intended to have been used for vehicle-borne raids against civilians in the Gaza border communities,” said Col. Haim Cohen in a video statement.

The meticulously constructed tunnel helped orchestrate the Oct. 7 attack, resulting in severe consequences. On that day, Militants managed to breach the highly fortified area near the Erez crossing, attacking the Israeli base, killing at least three soldiers, and kidnapping others. This tragic event has resulted in over ten weeks of conflict and significant loss of life, with over 18,000 deaths reported in Gaza.

The IDF reveals it has uncovered a major Hamas tunnel network in central and northern Gaza, which it says passes under a hospital and university.

Troops of the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, Nahal Infantry Brigade, and other forces under the 162nd Division recently… pic.twitter.com/qhebKoys39

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 26, 2024

IDF’s Response and Future Strategy

The IDF has actively been engaged in destroying these tunnels to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized the significance of this network, labeling it as the most extensive in Gaza. The IDF’s continuous operations have added to its knowledge of Hamas’s underground strategies, where excavation, neutralization, and intelligence collection remain the primary objectives.

“This was a flagship project that was waiting, finished and ready,” Hagari told a news conference.

“Since the beginning of the war, as well as during these days, the IDF has been working to locate and destroy dozens of attack tunnel routes, as part of the systematic dismantling of Hamas infrastructure,” it said.

The IDF’s use of advanced intelligence and technological means has been vital in uncovering these subterranean tunnels. Combining aerial surveillance, seismic readings, and ground-penetrating radar, the IDF has laid bare these hidden passages. As operations progress, their focus remains sharply on neutralizing such threats and ensuring security for the citizens along the Gaza border.