Israeli Military Completes Destruction And Leaking Of Hamas Tunnel In Northern Gaza

Hamas' tunnel casting by IDF. (Source/Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had completed the destruction and sealing of the largest tunnel belonging to the Hamas militant group first discovered in December.

The IDF explained that in recent weeks they had tried to complete an investigation into the tunnel, before destroying it.

Several parts of the tunnel were detonated by Israeli military combat zeni forces. Then, the remaining remains of the tunnel were covered with concrete cast carried out by the IDF and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, quoted from The Times of Israel on March 6.

The tunnel, which is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) long, was discovered by the IDF, about 50 meters (165 ft) underground in some areas, apparently wide enough for vehicles to pass.

The tunnel did not enter Israeli territory, but officials described it as a tunnel designed for use in offensive attacks, not as a defensive position or used to transport officials.

One of the tunnels was found just 400 meters (a quarter-mile) from Emez Crossing, which to Hamas' attack on October 7 facilitated the movement of Palestinian civilians to Israel to work and receive medical treatment.

"The outbreak shows that the tunnel was intended to be used in vehicle attacks on civilians in Gaza border settlements," Gaza Division Commander Colonel Haim Cohen said in a video statement in December.

The IDF said the tunnel project was led by Muhammad Sinwar, commander of the Southern Hamas Brigade as well as brother of the Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

In a December announcement, they released footage obtained from the Gaza Strip, suggesting Muhammad Sinwar was in a car passing through a tunnel.