GAZA STRIP — In one of the most significant blows to Hamas’s subterranean infrastructure this year, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday the successful demolition of a massive, three-mile-long tunnel network sprawling beneath the Beit Hanoun sector.
The operation, spearheaded by the 98th Division and the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, targeted a sophisticated bunker system located east of the “Yellow Line.” Military officials described the network as a “terror artery,” specifically engineered to facilitate large-scale incursions into Israeli territory and provide cover for guerrilla strikes against troops operating within the Strip.
Precision Engineering Meets Combat
The mission relied on advanced geological sensors and precision drilling to bypass Hamas’s efforts to camouflage the entry points. Unlike smaller tactical tunnels, this network was described as a reinforced “highway” featuring communications lines, ventilation systems, and reinforced concrete walls.
“This wasn’t just a hiding hole; it was a strategic asset,” a Southern Command spokesperson stated. “By dismantling this piece by piece, we are effectively blinding and paralyzing their ability to move fighters and munitions across the northern sector.”
Arsenals Hidden in Plain Sight
The demolition follows a week of intense “mop-up” operations above ground. During the sweep, Yahalom units uncovered a massive weapons cache strategically placed along the tunnel’s operational routes. The inventory of seized equipment paints a picture of a well-supplied insurgency:
- Heavy Munitions: RPG rockets, launchers, and high-grade explosive devices.
- Small Arms: Dozens of rifles, grenades, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
- Surveillance Tech: Sophisticated observation equipment and long-range optics used to track IDF movements from concealed positions.
Military analysts noted that the proximity of these caches to civilian residential zones continues to be a hallmark of Hamas’s tactical doctrine, complicating the IDF’s efforts to neutralize threats without collateral damage.
Immediate Threats Neutralized
The tension on the ground was further underscored by a lethal encounter in southern Gaza earlier this morning. Fighters from the Golani Brigade Combat Team identified a suspect who crossed the “Yellow Line,” advancing toward Israeli positions in a “threatening manner.”
According to military reports, the individual was neutralized within moments of identification. No Israeli casualties were reported in the exchange.
The Long Road Ahead
The IDF reaffirmed that while three miles of the network have been neutralized, the mission to map and destroy the “Metro”—the colloquial name for Gaza’s underground labyrinth—is far from over. Forces remain deployed in accordance with current security agreements, maintaining a proactive stance to prevent Hamas from rebuilding these strategic assets.
As the smoke clears over Beit Hanoun, the systematic destruction of this network stands as a reminder of the sheer scale of the underground battlefield. For the residents of the Israeli border communities, it is one less shadow lurking beneath the surface.
