Israel discovers largest Hamas tunnel near Gaza border

On December 17, the Israeli military showed reporters an exit from a structure believed to be used for military purposes by Hamas forces. The exit is 100 meters from the Erez border crossing checkpoint in the northern Gaza Strip and is hidden in a sand dune.

Israeli soldiers near the entrance to a tunnel with iron beams designed by Hamas for vehicles transporting Palestinian fighters away from the battlefield. Photo: Reuters

The tunnel runs diagonally down to a depth of 50m, then expands in height and width to about 3m, equipped with a power grid system and auxiliary equipment.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the tunnel was 4km long, enough to reach north of Gaza City, once the centre of Hamas rule and now a devastated battleground.

“This is the largest tunnel we have discovered in Gaza, intended for military purposes to the border area,” said Daniel Hagari, who was not sure whether Hamas used the tunnel for its first attack on Israeli territory on October 7.

"Millions of dollars have been invested in this tunnel, it took years to build... Vehicles can pass through it," he added.

The unusually large concrete tunnel, designed to transport militants from Gaza straight to the border. Photo: Reuters

After the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, Israel launched a series of targets, including destroying or neutralizing hundreds of kilometers of tunnels and shelters.

The tunnels previously discovered by Israeli forces were narrow and low, designed for fighters to move on foot in single file formation. The newly discovered tunnel, however, had multiple shafts buried straight down.

So Mr. Hagari said this could be part of a larger tunnel network. Tunnel networks pose a challenge to Israel because they could be where Hamas hides hostages.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-phat-hien-duong-ham-lon-nhat-cua-hamas-o-bien-gioi-gaza-post277034.html