Israeli military personnel are observed inside a tunnel that, according to the military, was utilized by Hamas militants for an assault on the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, December 15, 2023. The army is engaged in conflict with Palestinian militants throughout Gaza in response to Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
In a significant revelation, the Israeli military announced on Sunday the discovery of a substantial tunnel shaft in Gaza, situated close to the former bustling Erez crossing into Israel. This discovery has raised questions about the effectiveness of Israeli surveillance in detecting the notable preparations made by Hamas leading up to the deadly assault on October 7.
The entrance to the tunnel is merely a few hundred meters from the heavily fortified Erez crossing and an adjacent Israeli military base. Stretching over four kilometers, the tunnel interconnects with an extensive network beneath Gaza and is spacious enough to accommodate vehicles, militants, and supplies. The military disclosed that this tunnel played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of vehicles, militants, and supplies in preparation for the October 7 attack.
On that fateful day, militants utilized a rocket-propelled grenade to breach a section of the wall near the Erez crossing, infiltrating the base. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least three soldiers, with some being kidnapped and taken back to Gaza. This incident was part of a series along the border where militants breached Israel's security defenses, entering Israeli territory, and causing substantial casualties.
The aftermath of this unprecedented attack led to a devastating war that has persisted for over 10 weeks, claiming more than 18,000 lives in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has emphasized the destruction of Hamas' tunnel network as a primary objective, pointing out that much of the underground infrastructure extends beneath schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
Criticism has been directed at Israel's military, intelligence, and political officials for failing to detect the impending attack. Major Nir Dinar, a military spokesperson, explained that Israeli security services were unaware of the tunnel before October 7, as Israel's border defenses primarily focused on detecting tunnels meant to enter Israel.
Dinar clarified that the tunnel did not cross from Gaza into Israel and stopped within 400 meters from the border, making it challenging to detect through standard indicators. The entrance, cleverly hidden under a garage, further evaded surveillance by Israeli drones and satellite images.
While acknowledging knowledge of Hamas' extensive tunnel network, Dinar stated that the scale and success of the October 7 attack were unexpected. The Erez crossing, a symbolically significant facility for Hamas, suffered heavy damage during the assault and remains closed.
Israel's special "Yahalom" unit, specializing in tunnel warfare, has been actively working to excavate the tunnel since its detection, revealing the presence of weapons inside. The military plans to destroy the tunnel and continue efforts to locate and apprehend militants hiding in others.
The tunnel, twice the height and three times the width of typical Gaza tunnels features ventilation and electricity, reaching depths of 50 meters in some areas. Dinar highlighted the substantial financial investment, significant manpower, and substantial fuel required for its construction and maintenance.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, emphasized the military's commitment to destroying the tunnel and pursuing militants, even if it requires navigating the underground network. The overarching goal remains focused on the rescue of hostages, acknowledging the possibility that some may be located within the tunnels.
