IDF Unveils 'Monstrous' Hamas Tunnel in Gaza
Claiming discovery of the 'largest Hamas tunnel', Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed a mammoth subterranean structure last Sunday, boasting its width to accommodate large vehicles, a depth of 50 meters, and well-equipped with electrical, ventilation, and communication systems.
According to the IDF, the tunnel does not lead to Israel but terminates 400 meters before the now-shuttered Erez border checkpoint along the Israeli-Gaza boundary. Erez was attacked on October 7.
Israeli military leaders refer to the tunnel as a part of Hamas' 'strategic infrastructure' and announced plans to destroy it. The Israeli military shared a video, claimed to be obtained from Hamas, showcasing the construction of the tunnel and highlighting its use as a 'launchpad' for Hamas troops and attacks. CNN could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage or the allegations from the IDF.
Describing it as a project led by Mohammed Sinwar, the Brother of Gaza's Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar, IDF provided no definitive evidence to back the claim.
In the wake of the revelation, the Israeli Defense Forces claimed to have unearthed 'hundreds of terror tunnels' ranging across the Gaza Strip, with plans to locate and obliterate a multitude of attack tunnel routes.
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The Labyrinthine Problem
Citing that Hamas claims to have constructed 500 kilometers (311 miles) of tunnels beneath Gaza, the veracity of the claim remains unclear.
These tunnels are utilized to smuggle goods from Egypt, initiate attacks against Israel, house arms depots, and accommodate command and control centers of Hamas.
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Escape Rooms and Prisoner Suffering
Some of the captives held during the October 7 attack reported experiencing forced marches and confinement within the tunnels.
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The Tunnel Discovery at Shifa Hospital
Last month, Israeli forces uncovered a tunnel complex hidden within the Shifa Hospital medical compound, which comprises the largest medical facility in the enclave. The discovery of the tunnel network lies at the heart of the argument presented by the IDF, raising the possibility of an extensive tunnel system beneath the hospital.
The Gaza Strip's largest hospital was bombarded by Israeli forces, who accused Hamas of using it as a command center. Hamas and hospital officials argued that it was used for patient care solely.
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Israel Prepares to Flood the Tunnels
US officials disclosed on Tuesday that the Israeli government had begun a pilot project to flood a section of Gaza's tunnels with seawater, to disrupt the extensive underground network. If successful, increased flooding could potentially escalate the damage to the tunnel system.
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[CNN's Joshua Berlinger, Nadeem Ebrahim, Oren Liebermann, and Sophie Tanno contributed to the reporting.]
