IDF uncovers massive 7km Hamas tunnel network beneath Gaza’s Rafah

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released a video showing what Hamas describes as one of the “most complex” underground infrastructures stretching beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

According to the IDF, the seven-kilometer-long “root tunnel” runs about 25 meters underground, contains about 80 rooms and was used for command operations, weapons storage and to house Hamas operatives.

The video, shared on X on November 20, shows the complexity and scale of Hamas’ underground network, passing through reinforced concrete passages and large rooms.

The Israeli army claims that the tunnel starts under the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound and extends under civilian areas.

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“IDF troops have uncovered one of Gaza’s largest and most complex underground routes, over 7 km long, ~25 meters deep, with approximately 80 hiding places where kidnapped IDF officer Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was held,” the post said.

Israeli analysts say that the destruction of this tunnel represents a strategic blow to Hamas and “opens the way to defeat.”

“The destruction of this tunnel and many other similar tunnels and other terrorist facilities pushes Hamas to the brink,” said Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and Misgav Institute.

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“One of the longest and [most] complex tunnels have been discovered, but this is not the only tunnel,” he told Fox News Digital.

Michael explained that Hamas’ root tunnels form the backbone of its underground warfare system.

“This is an example of a strategic root tunnel that feeds many tactical tunnels and is used for strategic purposes. [such] as command and control, weapon storage, weapon production platforms[s] and strategic logistics,” he said.

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“There are usually hundreds of militants and commanders in such a tunnel.”

The IDF believes that this particular network of tunnels may be connected to the area where Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped during the 2014 Gaza war, was held captive. Hamas returned Goldin’s body earlier this month after more than a decade.

The discovery of the tunnel sheds new light on the extent of underground operations.

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Israeli forces have dealt a strategic blow to the militant group’s capabilities by destroying a major Hamas tunnel system connected to the area where Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was being held in Rafah.

“I have no idea about the cost, but if you take into account the amount and length of construction materials, labor and facilities, it is a matter of INS in the millions,” he said. “Hamas chose routes under sensitive civilian and humanitarian facilities to prevent the Israeli army from attacking the tunnel.”

As Israel continues its operations in Gaza, the destruction of Hamas’ tunnel networks remains central to the group’s strategy to eliminate its military capabilities and prevent future attacks.

In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wanted to destroy the tunnels used by Hamas militants to infiltrate Israeli territory, “whether there is a ceasefire or not.”

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According to an investigation by Reuters in 2023, Hamas said that it used the tunnels to hide hostages captured in its attack on Israel on October 7.

The Israeli military said ground forces had uncovered nearly 1,500 Hamas tunnels and shafts in the Gaza Strip. report.