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/

So you see it as some sort of “clean up” that Israel has to complete? Wow. Did you feel the same about the tens of thousands of children killed because “no one else would do it”?

Of course we do if they start a war. Peace deals always include limits on the potential of the aggressor to start another war. Hamas started the war and everyone agrees they have to be destroyed so what is the alternative?

Or do you think its ok for Hamas to remain in power and regroup @TomeTome?

Israel's always said Hamas built tunnels under kindergartens now they have the proof the world didn't want to know or hear about.

I think Israel has shown itself to be just about as aggressive and unprincipled as it is possible to be. You are right if we want peace we must deals limit Israel’s potential continue raining down hell on Palestine and violating international laws by attacking multiple states.

Israel don't have infrastructure or weapons that actively work against their own citizens having a normal life.

Hamas do and the tunnels are part of what keeps people in Gaza poor. They don't benefit from the tunnels because they aren't allowed to shelter in them. They only suffer from international aid being diverted into the building and maintenance of the tunnels and the Hamas obsession with staying at war with Israel forever.

The IDF blow up the tunnels to protect themselves and their citizens firstly. But the international community aren't generally complaining about the tunnels being destroyed because most people recognise that destroying them will be good for Gazans too, especially if it helps drive Hamas militants out of Gaza.

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But you agree that the terrorist organisation Hamas needs to play no part in Gaza and have no military capability, right? Or do you support Hamas?

Yes we have proof now that the tunnels were built under kindergartens and hospitals. Strange that so many people seemed reluctant to believe the worst about a group of terrorists.

This level of naivety is comically sweet. I have a bridge for sale if you fancy one?

No. Like huge numbers (the majority?) of people disgusted by the Palestinians plight, I am not pro-Hamas.

That's your opinion and you are entitled to it. But we do not agree. I don't think Israel's military capability should be reduced because we know what would happen if it was.

So why do you believe that their tunnels should remain intact? Used not only to attack Israel but as part of their strategy of oppression of ordinary Palestinians.

Lot of pro Israel posts in first few replies unfortunately

Well you certainly advocate for them a lot. I wasn't aware before today that anyone who wasn't pro Hamas would have a problem with their tunnels being destroyed.

Most people, even those that have a problem with how Israel has behaved in the war, can agree that it would be better for Hamas to be destroyed than to carry on being the ones ruling Gaza.

I agree that that potential to cause harm should be addressed. Our difference (probably one of many) is that you see tunnels in a neighbouring territory as that potential and I see the weapons and appetite for slaughter demonstrated by the Israeli people lead by Netanyahu as the greater threat to life and peace.

What you class as ‘pro Israel’?

Di you think the tunnels should be left so they can continue be used for terrorist purposes as they have been for the last 20 years?

They haven’t been used as shelter for civilians have they?

Are you saying that you don't see the tunnels as having the potential to cause harm?

If being honest you can acknowledge that the tunnels have the potential to cause harm (which would be hard to deny) then the obvious thing to do is to destroy the underground tunnel network.

Even just from an investment point of view, no investor is going to risk pouring money into new buildings on land where there are known Hamas tunnels underneath.

You don't have a problem with Hamas funnelling millions into building tunnels at the expense of providing for their citizens? Protecting only themselves in the tunnels and not their citizens? Building them under civilian infrastructure, cynically putting them at risk as human shields? Abducting Israelis civilians and hiding them in tbe tunnels? Unleashing a catastrophic war? And you don't see these offensive tunnels as having any potential to cause harm?

So, tell us, exactly how does your opposition to Hamas manifest itself? What do you think should be done about Hamas? Should they remain in power?

I don’t advocate for Hamas at all. The idea that everyone who isn’t pro Israel is pro Hamas or anti Jew is ridiculous.

Are you pro Netanyahu? Are you happy at the mass murder of thousands of children carried out in the name of the Israeli people? Do you support the starving of a whole population?

Just think. Allow yourself to see beyond the propaganda and recognise how very wrong the last few years have been.

I've never come across anyone here who was particularly pro Netanyahu. Or anyone who was haopy about the deaths of children

The whole population was not starved. That is blatant propaganda and misinformation.

I agree the last 2 years have been catastrophic. But I hold Hamas, and Iran and their proxies responsible. You say you are not pro Hamas, why are you not holding them responsible?

I didn’t say that everyone who isn’t pro Israel is “pro Hamas or anti Jew” - that is a ridiculous statement that you just made up.

I’m not particularly pro Netanyahu and the rest of that paragraph I won’t dignify with a response.

We were talking specifically about the tunnels and it seems that when you realised the ridiculousness of your own argument about them you changed the subject. Rather than reflect on the contradiction of saying you don’t support Hamas but do support their right to keep their tunnels intact to keep on hiding their weapons and plotting more carnage.

Let me clarify though how you are missing the point isn’t clear I do not think Israel should be destroying anything in Gaza

Remind me again when Israelis went into Gaza and slaughtered, tortured, mutilated and raped Palestinians, murdering 1200 men, women and children. and took 250 hostages including a baby, toddler and young children in the space of a few hours?

You seem to completely ignore that Palestinians started a war by invading a sovereign country and indiscriminately slaughtering and taking hostage anyone they came across including people who weren’t Israeli, even taking the bodies of those they slaughtered hostage,

You comparison to Palestinians and Israelis killed in this decades old conflict shows quite clearly where the appetite for slaughter comes from.

Why continue attacking Israel and Israelis when you know you are going to come off worse due to the much superior resources of Israel? Why no appetite for peace for your children but instead an appetite to carry out a mass terrorist attack on Oct 7th and celebrate it afterwards?

Palestinians being safe (and they’re certainly not safe from their own leaders) starts with denouncing the appetite to annihilate Israel and supporting leaders who want to lead them to live in peace.

There is an appetite for terrorism in the West Bank as well. The problem is not only with Israeli settlers and terrorism is the main reason they are there. I wonder why you don’t mention that in your analysis?

This is an extremely interesting interactive report which maps terrorist attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank over a number of years, which doesn’t make the news.

www.fdd.org/analysis/2022/12/14/mapping-west-bank-insurgency/

The West Bank is also considered a major tactical vulnerability for Israel’s security due to its higher elevations which leave an Israel open to missile attack and surveillance. Wouldn’t be an issue if Israel hadn’t been under constant attack would it?

This article explains the geographical vulnerabilities in more detail:

www.deepinsecurity.com/israels-defensible-borders/

I guess on a national level, being in a state of perpetual conflict with your neighbours when you just want to be left in peace, can harden the mindset against those who continually publicly state they want to annihilate your country and your people, and show they mean it, as on Oct 7th.

Is there any other war in which you don’t think an opposing army should destroy military targets?

I imagine you also think Iran should have been left alone to continue to develop nuclear weapons as well?