IDF uncovers ‘complex’ 4.3-mile Hamas tunnel network in Gaza’s south

[Twiglets1]

The IDF said on Thursday it had uncovered one of the largest and most complex Hamas tunnel networks found so far in Gaza, a route stretching more than 4.3 miles and descending roughly 82 feet. A video of the tunnel is available to watch on X and on various websites including JNS in the link below.

The underground route, which the military said ran under “a densely populated Rafah neighborhood and through an UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics, kindergartens and schools,” included 80 hideouts.

Defence Minister Israel Katz tweeted on Thursday, “This is the tunnel where Lt. Hadar Goldin was held. More than 8 kilometers and 80 (!) bedrooms.

“We must destroy the underground terror city that Hamas built in Gaza. The IDF is working non-stop to carry out the mission,” continued Katz, who added, “Until the last tunnel.”

“The major challenge for Israel after the [first] stage of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza, both directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism that will be established under U.S. leadership and oversight,” Katz tweeted.

“This is the primary meaning of implementing the agreed principle of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and disarming Hamas,” wrote the defence minister. “I have instructed the IDF to prepare to carry out the mission.”

www.jns.org/idf-uncovers-complex-4-3-mile-hamas-tunnel-network-in-gazas-south/

Wowser!

I think I’ll leave you to it for now.

At least we both have the choice to come and go as we please

Concrete yes (the Pantheon).. Rebars, not so much.

I'm still looking forward to the links to research about Hamas's use of tunnels dug in antiquity. Funny the only articles I can find are about the extensive expansion of modern tunnels.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28430298

Surprising there aren’t global protests against the destruction of these ancient terror tunnels. They could have archaeological importance!

The terrorist excusers have missed a trick there.

Don’t give them any ideas!

Despite that posters superior historical knowlege it doesn't look like we are going to get an answer to these and other questions. Every article you read from a range of sources discusses the tunnel network being modern, even if it refers to the fact that tunnels have been built historically. There is even an interesting Al Jazeera clip about the discovery of historic tunnels being excavated from the times of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. It makes the point that the historic tunnels were discovered close to the modern smuggling tunnels. And they were small. Hardly suitable for the extensive military operations that Hamas built their tunnels for.

You and your facts again @SharonEllis getting in the way of a good story 😂

I haven’t, have you? I would imagine most countries have these sort of facilities. Does Netanyahu not have safe rooms and bunkers? Why would Israel need to destroy or bomb them as part of a ceasefire? You seem to have lost sight of normal behaviour completely. Palestine has been recognised as a state, Israel must stop killing Palestinians and leave Gaza. They have lost ANY possible grounds to do anything there to the people or to their country.

This is complete fantasy. Hamas did not build shelters for its people. Of course Netanyahu has safe rooms - most Israelis do because of the constant threat from outside and the Israeli state prioritises the protection of its people, while Hamas uses its people as human shields and cannon fodder.
The tunnel system is absolutely nothing to do with protecting citizens. It was constructed as a means of smuggling and then an offensive weapon of war. To move people and weaponry around undetected, to enable Hamas to launch offensive strikes, to facilitate guerilla war by luring Israeli troops in to boobtly trapped tunnels, to infiltrate and to assist in the abduction of hostages.
Of course Israel is entitled yo drstroy them. There can be no peace while the majority of the tunnels remain. How could anyone have faith in a decommissioning process while the tunnels remain?

To be more accurate, Palestine is currently recognised as a state by around 80% of the UN's 193 member states.

In the words of the BBC, Palestine is a state that does and does not exist.

It has a large degree of international recognition, diplomatic missions abroad and teams that compete in sporting competitions, including the Olympics.

But due to the Palestinians' long-running dispute with Israel, it has no internationally agreed boundaries, no capital and no army.

Given its status as a kind of quasi-state, recognition is inevitably somewhat symbolic. It will represent a strong moral and political statement but change little on the ground.

Hopefully it will be recognised as a state one day by all of the UN, but many changes have to happen before the US for example would endorse it as a state.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgp5z1vvj5o

I’m confused. I’d think a country that launched a war against you and continues to hold to your extermination as an ideology, cannot expect to hold onto weapons- and the tunnels are weapons.

And having seen videos and read articles about October 7th where it is evident ordinary Palestinians joined in the with rape and murder and cheered those returning with women’s bodies as trophies, I find it hard to believe ‘ordinary Palestinians’ are not on board with Hammas’ plans.

I know there are ordinary Palestinians who are not, and who have been unable to leave, but not enough to have undermined the grip of hammas. They still hold the power.

Of course Israel is entitled yo drstroy them. There can be no peace while the majority of the tunnels remain. How could anyone have faith in a decommissioning process while the tunnels remain? Why do you believe Israel is entitled to destroy anything?

I’m confused. I’d think a country that launched a war against you and continues to hold to your extermination as an ideology, cannot expect to hold onto weapons- and the tunnels are weapons. So Israel should have all it weapons confiscated and safe rooms and bunkers destroyed? Think just a little.

Israel is entitled to destroy the tunnels because they have been used for storing weapons and planning attacks on Israeli civilians.

I thought Israel were occupying Gaza?

Has that line changed now?

Surely in that case they can destroy whatever they want?

Of course there is irrefutable evidence of rape. Disgraceful misinformation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1mz8gxzg82o.amp

@Poinlessss Bollocks! I saw that poor young woman’s bloodstained body being shown off like a trophy as onlookers cheered! There was no doubt at all. You are deluded.

It would be great if someone else destroyed the tunnels but as it is Israel that they are aimed at Israel is entitled to do it if noone else will. Everyone agrees Hamas to be destroyed and have no role in Gaza, destroying the tunnels is critical to that.

Re the comment denying rape, from the BBC:

A UN team says there is "convincing information" that hostages held in Gaza have been subjected to sexual violence including rape and sexualised torture.

There were grounds to suspect the abuse was still ongoing, the UN said.
The UN team also found "reasonable grounds to believe" sexual violence, including gang rape, took place when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October.

The UN report said, "the mission team found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the 7 October attacks".

These happened in at least three locations - the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Re'im, it added.

Reports of sexual violence carried out by Hamas - which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the UK and others - began to emerge soon after 7 October and have accumulated steadily ever since.

The BBC has also seen and heard evidence of rape, sexual violence and mutilation of women.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68474899

But surely the same could be said of Israeli infrastructure and weapons? It’s a ridiculous idea. We don’t march in and blow up things on other peoples land because we don’t want them to have that and we don’t want them to be there.