Israeli military officials have revealed that they have discovered around 1,500 tunnel shafts in Gaza since October 7th, escalating the complexity of their conflict with Hamas. These underground passageways, many of which are located within civilian areas and structures, are posing significant challenges for Israel's war efforts. The largest tunnel uncovered so far, recently explored by a team of journalists, is spacious enough to accommodate large vehicles and is equipped with electricity, ventilation, and communication systems.
Inside the tunnel, located in close proximity to the Israeli border, the wreckage of demolished communication centers and automatic machine guns, destroyed by Hamas during the initial attack, can be observed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shared that this tunnel is the largest one discovered to date. Confidential sources within the IDF have suggested that they were unaware of Hamas constructing such an expansive tunnel capable of accommodating even a small truck. In fact, during a raid on Hamas headquarters, a video of Mohamed Sinua, the deceased brother of a Hamas leader, driving through the tunnel in his private car was found.
Exploring the tunnel evoked a mixture of emotions. While there was a sense of acknowledgement for the impressive digging capabilities displayed by Hamas, there was also an underlying disappointment that these resources were allocated to tunnel construction instead of the building of Gaza. Additionally, there was a recognition of the failure of Israeli intelligence and leadership to effectively address the tunnel threat. The proximity to the Israeli border further highlighted the construction and military prowess of Hamas, as witnessed during the walk through the tunnel.
The visuals captured within the tunnel are truly remarkable. The abundance of technology, the sheer size, and the potential for what could transpire through these passageways were inescapable. This situation has shattered Israel's intelligence agencies' longstanding reputation for having an almost omniscient understanding of events occurring within and around Israel. The scale, technological intricacies, and extensive network of these tunnels not only surprised the military but also caused a stir among high-ranking sources within intelligence agencies.
It is important to note that in 2014, Israel had already discovered that Hamas was constructing what they referred to as 'attack tunnels.' Israeli forces destroyed some of these tunnels at the time, leading to the decision to construct a massive subterranean barrier or fence. This barrier successfully deterred further infiltration attempts through these specific tunnels. However, Hamas persevered and found alternative, more challenging methods to carry out their plans, evidenced by the existence of the recently discovered extensive tunnel network.
The visuals and footage captured within these underground tunnels stand as a testament to the extraordinary reporting and observation skills of the journalist and their accompanying photographer. They provide a rare glimpse into the intricate workings of this hidden network and shed light on the evolving dynamics of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
