The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that they have discovered the largest ever Hamas tunnel inside Gaza that was only a few hundred yards away from the Erez Humanitarian Crossing.
The Erez Humanitarian Crossing, which was operated by COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) up until October 6, allowed thousands of Palestinians to cross into Israel for work and to receive medical treatment.
“This massive tunnel system, splits into branches of tunnels, spans well over four kilometers (2.5 miles) and reaches only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez crossing,” the IDF said in a statement. “This subterranean tunnel system was a project led by Muhammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.”
The IDF said that the tunnel was built “from reinforced concrete and [is] equipped with electricity, ventilation, sewage, communication networks and rails.”
A lot of the footage that the IDF released of the tunnel was video that was recorded by Hamas terrorists while they constructed the tunnel and was later recovered by Israel.
“Hamas has persistently and deliberately invested enormous amounts of money and resources into terrorist tunnels that serve only one purpose – attacking the State of Israel and its residents. This strategic attack tunnel network, large enough to drive vehicles through, was spearheaded by Muhammad Sinwar and intentionally dug near a crossing dedicated to the movement of Gazans into Israel for work and medical care,” said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF International Spokesperson. “For Hamas, attacking the people of Israel continues to take priority over supporting the people of Gaza.”
The width of the tunnel indicated that terrorists intended to use it to move a large number of terrorist fighters on vehicles right up next to the crossing where they could then launch attacks on Israeli communities near the Gazan border.
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EXPOSED: The biggest Hamas terrorist tunnel discovered.
This massive tunnel system branches out and spans well over four kilometers (2.5 miles). Its entrance is located only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez Crossing—used by Gazans on a daily basis to enter Israel for work… pic.twitter.com/RcjK5LbvGL
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 17, 2023