The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have released a video showing what they describe as some of Hamas’s “most complex” underground infrastructure, stretching beneath the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
According to the IDF, the seven-kilometer-long “root tunnel” runs approximately 25 meters underground, contains approximately 80 rooms and was used for commando operations, weapons storage and shelter for Hamas operatives.
The video, shared on November 20 on
The Israeli military claims the tunnel originated beneath a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) complex and extended beneath civilian sites.
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“IDF forces have uncovered one of Gaza’s largest and most complex underground routes, more than 7 km long, approximately 25 meters deep, with approximately 80 shelters, where kidnapped IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin was being held,” the report said.
Israeli analysts say the demolition of this tunnel represents a strategic blow to Hamas and “paves the way for its defeat.”
“The destruction of this tunnel and many others similar or similar… as well as other terror facilities is pushing Hamas to the brink,” said Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute.
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The IDF has uncovered one of Gaza’s largest underground Hamas infrastructures, stretching 25 meters deep beneath civilian sites including mosques and schools in Rafah.
Michael explained that Hamas’ root tunnels are the backbone of its underground war system.
“This is an example of a root tunnel, a strategic tunnel that feeds many tactics tunnels and is used for strategic purposes [such] such as command and control, weapons storage, weapons production platforms[s] and strategic logistics,” he said.
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“Such a tunnel is usually manned by hundreds of militants and commanders.”
The IDF believes that this particular tunnel network may be connected to the area where Lt. Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped and held captive during the 2014 Gaza war. Hamas returned Goldin’s remains earlier this month – after more than a decade.
The exposure of the tunnel sheds new light on the scale of underground activities.
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Israeli forces destroyed a major Hamas tunnel system in Rafah linked to the area where Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was being held, dealing a strategic blow to the militant group’s capabilities.
“I have no idea of the cost, but if you consider the amount of construction materials, labor and facilities and the length of it, it is a matter of millions of INS,” he claimed. “Hamas chose routes under sensitive civilian and humanitarian facilities to prevent the IDF from attacking the tunnel.”
As Israel continues its operations in Gaza, the destruction of Hamas’ tunnel networks remains central to its strategy to dismantle the group’s military capabilities and prevent future attacks.
In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wanted to destroy the tunnels that Hamas militants used to infiltrate Israeli territory “with or without a ceasefire.”
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According to a 2023 Reuters investigation, Hamas had said it had used the tunnels to hide hostages seized during the October 7 attack on Israel.
The Israeli military said its ground forces had discovered about 1,500 Hamas tunnels and shafts in the Gaza Strip. the report.
