On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had discovered the largest Hamas tunnel in Gaza, measuring four kilometers (2.5 miles) in length. The tunnel, which was secured several weeks ago but only revealed to the public on Sunday, is large enough to accommodate a large vehicle, extends up to 50 meters underground, and is equipped with electricity, ventilation, and communication systems.
The tunnel does not extend into Israel but instead ends 400 meters before the now-shut Erez Crossing on the northern Israeli-Gazan border, as stated by the IDF. The Erez Crossing was attacked on October 7. The IDF has identified the tunnel as a key part of Hamas' "strategic infrastructure" and plans to demolish it. According to a video released by the IDF, the tunnel was reportedly constructed by Hamas for troop movements and as a base for launching attacks.
The IDF shared footage that was allegedly filmed by Hamas to demonstrate the construction of a tunnel. The video shows a large vehicle entering the tunnel and a makeshift railroad inside. CNN was unable to verify the footage or the claims of the IDF.
The IDF released a statement on Sunday alleging that the tunnel system was a project of Muhammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. However, the IDF did not present any evidence to support this claim.
The IDF claims to have exposed "hundreds of terror tunnel shafts throughout the Gaza Strip" and says it is operating "to locate and destroy dozens of attack tunnel routes."
The inside of a Hamas tunnel in Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces
IDF soldiers gain access to the tunnel.
Israel Defense Forces
Vast labyrinth
Hamas has stated that they have constructed 500 kilometers (311 miles) of tunnels beneath Gaza, but it is uncertain if this claim is accurate.
These tunnels are utilized for smuggling goods from Egypt, launching attacks into Israel, storing rockets and ammunition, and housing Hamas command and control centers.
Some of those taken hostage in the October 7 attacks described being taken to them and being forced to march for hours.
CNN
CNN visited the exposed tunnel shaft in the Al-Shifa hospital compound. Heres what we saw
Last month, the Israeli military discovered a tunnel shaft on the premises of the Al-Shifa hospital complex, the largest medical facility in the enclave. This discovery has played a key role in the IDF's assertion that there could be a network of tunnels beneath the hospital.
Israeli forces raided the hospital, which is the largest in Gaza, last month, alleging that Hamas was operating a command center beneath it. However, Hamas and hospital officials maintain that the tunnel has only been used for treating patients.
A US official informed CNN on Tuesday that Israel has initiated the flooding of certain Gaza tunnels with seawater as part of efforts to dismantle the underground network. The official stated that they are cautiously testing this method on a small scale. If successful, the flooding could be expanded to significantly degrade the tunnel network.
CNNs Joshua Berlinger, Nadeem Ebrahim, Oren Liebermann and Sophie Tanno contributed reporting.
