The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed a vast network on underground tunnels inside Gaza City this week that belonged to top Hamas terrorist officials.
Yahalom Unit Combat Engineering Forces discovered Hamas’ “Elite Quarter” on Wednesday, including “a large network of strategic underground tunnels which connect hideouts, and bureaus belonging to Hamas’ senior military and political leadership,” the IDF said in a statement.
The engineering unit destroyed the tunnels in a controlled demolition on Thursday, the IDF added.
VIDEO @IDF destroyed today the terrorist infrastructure embedded in Hamas’ “Elite Quarter” in Gaza City, including a large network of strategic underground tunnels which connect hideouts, and offices belonging to Hamas’ senior military & political leadership. pic.twitter.com/gfG95dEsku
— Israel Nitzan🇮🇱 (@IsraelNitzan) December 21, 2023
“Today, we destroyed a strategic terror tunnel network in the Hamas Elite Quarter in the heart of Gaza City,” said IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. “This is a complex network of tunnels connecting hideout apartments to various facilities and bunkers of senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Israel’s Air Force (IAF) posted footage of its Shaldag Unit, the 401st Brigade, Shayetet 13, and Yahalom securing the “Elite Quarter” on Wednesday where top Hamas leaders operated.
Special Forces from the IAF's Shaldag Unit, the 401st Brigade, Shayetet 13, and Yahalom have secured control of Hamas’ “Elite Quarter” in Gaza City, where Hamas’ administrative and military leadership operated. pic.twitter.com/E2hGp5aGHa
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) December 20, 2023
“For several weeks, the troops operated in Rimal, where ‘Palestine Square’ is located – an area surrounded by buildings that served as command-and-control centers, terror tunnel shafts, and strategic buildings belonging to the organization,” the IAF added. “The forces eliminated about 600 terrorists from the ground and the air and uncovered a large tunnel network that connects hideouts, bureaus, and leader’s apartments.”
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The forces eliminated about 600 terrorists from the ground and the air and uncovered a large tunnel network that connects hideouts, bureaus, and leader’s apartments. pic.twitter.com/EsgDblwTUS
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) December 20, 2023
Hagari said that the destruction of “Elite Quarter” represented the loss of “significant infrastructure” that “deprives the Hamas terrorist organization of strategic capabilities.”
“Our forces continue to intensify ground operations in northern and southern Gaza,” he added. “Since the end of the operational pause on ground operations in Gaza, our forces have eliminated over 2,000 terrorists from the air, sea, and land.”
Additional footage of Israel’s combat operations in the area include the following clips:
Military activities of the 401st Brigade and Shayetet 13 forces in the Palestine Square area. pic.twitter.com/GblHPq8TbG
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 20, 2023
Commanding Officer of the 401st Brigade, Colonel Benny Aharon, reveals an underground bunker and a tunnel shaft in Palestine Square. pic.twitter.com/4adR7tnOa1
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 20, 2023
Deputy Commanding Officer of the 401st brigade, Ltc Ido, revealing a specialized construction workshop for a tunnel with a logistical tunnel shaft inside. pic.twitter.com/qQNgKw1W65
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 20, 2023