The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had uncovered a four-kilometer-long and 50-meter-deep tunnel of strategic importance that was allegedly personally established by Muhammad Sinwar, the right-hand man and brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The tunnel is the largest and longest in Gaza that the IDF has ever found, directly connecting the tip of northern Gaza with Jabalia toward the southern end of northern Gaza. The IDF claims that the tunnel passes exclusively through civilian areas.
IDF sources said they identified the tunnel as linked to Muhammad Sinwar from various intelligence items, including from Hamas video surveillance, which the IDF later seized control of.
In addition, the IDF said that Hamas used the tunnel to attack the Israeli army throughout the war and even a few days ago.
The tunnel splits into many sub-tunnels, equipped with heavy, deeper tunneling machines that the IDF had not encountered before.
In addition, the tunnel has electricity, water, a communication network, a road for vehicles, extensive weapons, and security doors designed to block or slow any IDF advance.
E.Dz.
