Israeli Military Discovers Massive Tunnel Network in Gaza

TEL AVIV - The Israeli military has made a shocking discovery in Gaza, uncovering a massive tunnel network used by Hamas militants to hide weapons and transport supplies. The tunnel, about two miles long and wide enough to drive a small car through, was found only 500 yards inside the border, close to the heavily fortified Erez crossing. The discovery has raised serious questions about how Israeli surveillance missed such conspicuous preparations by Hamas.

The tunnel, made of reinforced concrete and plunging over 50 feet underground, is part of a vast network that stretches for more than 2.5 miles and links up with other tunnels across Gaza. It is believed to have been used by Hamas militants to carry out their unprecedented Oct. 7 assault, which sparked the current war. On that day, militants used a rocket-propelled grenade to break through the wall protecting the Erez crossing and stormed the base, killing at least three soldiers and kidnapping others back to Gaza.

The Israeli military says that the destruction of Hamas' tunnel network is a major objective, as much of it runs beneath schools, hospitals, and residential areas. However, the discovery of such a large tunnel so close to the Israeli border has come as an unpleasant surprise. "This is the biggest tunnel that we found ever," said IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari.

The Erez crossing, which was once a busy facility processing the movement of Palestinians into Israel for work, medical care, and transit to neighboring Jordan, was heavily damaged during the Oct. 7 attack and has not reopened since. The crossing held great symbolic value for Hamas, as it was protected by security cameras, military patrols, and an adjacent military base.

The Israeli military, intelligence, and political officials have faced heavy criticism for failing to detect the attack ahead of time. Maj. Nir Dinar, a military spokesperson, explained that Israel's border defenses only detected tunnels meant to enter Israel, and the entrance to the tunnel in question was located under a garage, hidden from Israeli drones and satellite images.

While the military was aware of Hamas' extensive tunnel network, they did not expect the militants to be able to carry out such a large-scale attack. "It's no surprise that this was the Hamas strategy all along," said Dinar. "The surprise is that they have succeeded, and the size of this tunnel... was really shocking."

The IDF has vowed to destroy the tunnel and continue the mission to “hunt” militants hiding in others. They also plan to blow up the tunnels once they have been searched for hostages. However, the situation remains complex, as there are still approximately 130 people believed to be held captive in Gaza.

The IDF has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that three Israeli hostages were mistakenly shot dead by soldiers during an operation in Gaza. The hostages had emerged shirtless and holding a white flag. Israeli military officials have acknowledged the mistake and expressed their commitment to rescuing the remaining captives. "We want to bring the hostages alive back home," said Hagari. "It's very complex, but we are managing the risk."

The discovery of this massive tunnel network has further highlighted the challenges faced by the Israeli military in the ongoing war in Gaza. As they continue to carry out ground operations and hunt down Hamas militants, they must also navigate the complexities of rescuing hostages while ensuring the safety of their own soldiers.