The Israeli army says it has found and destroyed a strategically important tunnel belonging to the terrorist militia Hamas. The army announced on Tuesday evening that the facility, several hundred meters long, connected the north and south of the Gaza Strip. At a depth of nine meters it ran under the Wadi Gaza, the riverbed that separates North and South Gaza.
Using the tunnel, Hamas fighters were able to move undetected between the northern and southern parts of the coastal strip, the statement continued. Army engineering units blew up the facility. Israeli soldiers had taken up positions along the Wadi Gaza weeks ago to prevent Hamas fighters from gaining above-ground passage between the two parts of the area.
Tunnel network under Gaza Strip probably longer than expected
According to the New York Times, Hamas’ tunnel network in the Gaza Strip may be longer than Israel previously thought. Its length is estimated at around 560 to 720 kilometers, the US newspaper said on Tuesday, citing senior Israeli defense officials. Previously, rumors were about a length of about 400 kilometers. Meanwhile, Israel and the radical Islamist group Hamas continue their fierce fighting in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The figures for the tunnel system cannot currently be independently verified. The Islamists’ tunnel network – colloquially known as the “Gaza Metro” – represents a huge challenge for the Israeli forces. The Gaza Strip itself is about 45 kilometers long and about six to fourteen kilometers wide.
5700 individual shafts
The size, depth and quality of the tunnels surprised Israeli soldiers and government officials, the New York Times report continued. There are also approximately 5,700 individual shafts leading to the underground passageways. Accordingly, there could be approximately 150 miles of tunnels under the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip alone. The Israeli military is said to have found documents such as maps in the Gaza Strip that they can use to locate the tunnels and their entrances.
According to the army, Israeli soldiers have destroyed many kilometers of underground routes in recent months. Observers believe Hamas leaders are hiding in the tunnels and likely surrounding themselves with the hostages kidnapped from Israel during the October 7 massacre.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
