The Israeli Defense Forces have uncovered what they describe as one of Hamas’s largest and most complex underground tunnel networks to date — a 7-kilometer “root tunnel” discovered beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
According to the IDF, the tunnel runs 25 meters underground, includes around 80 rooms, and was built for command centers, weapons storage, logistics, and sheltering Hamas operatives. Newly released IDF footage shows reinforced concrete corridors, large chambers, and a multi-layered design that analysts say demonstrates the scale of Hamas’s underground strategy.
The military claims the tunnel began beneath a UNRWA compound and extended under civilian areas. Israeli analysts call its destruction a major strategic turning point, arguing it deals a significant blow to Hamas’s underground warfare capabilities.
The tunnel may also be connected to the area where Lt. Hadar Goldin—abducted in 2014—was held. His remains were returned earlier this month.
Experts estimate the construction cost in the millions of Israeli shekels, involving extensive materials, labor, and engineering. The discovery brings renewed focus on Hamas’s long-standing investment in underground infrastructure, which Israel sees as central to its military operations in Gaza.
As Israel continues to dismantle tunnel networks across the Strip, this newly exposed “root tunnel” is being described as one of the most significant findings of the war.
00:00The Israeli Defense Forces have released new video footage that they say shows one of Hamas's most complex underground infrastructures discovered to date.
00:19What the IDF is calling a root tunnel spanning beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
00:27According to the IDF, the tunnel stretches around 7km, runs roughly 25m underground and contains approximately 80 rooms used for command operations, weapon storage and sheltering Hamas operatives.
00:42The video, posted on X on November 20, shows reinforced concrete passageways and large chambers, giving a close-up look at the scale and sophistication of Hamas's multi-layered underground network.
00:56The IDF said in a statement.
01:02IDF troops uncovered one of Gaza's largest and most complex underground routes, over 7km long, 25m deep, with 80 hideouts where abducted IDF officer Latir Hadar Golden was held.
01:17The military also claims that the tunnel began beneath a UN RBY compound and extended underneath civilian areas.
01:26Israeli military analysts describe the destruction of this tunnel as a strategic turning point in Israel's ongoing operations in Gaza.
01:35They argue it represents a major blow to Hamas's underground warfare capabilities.
01:44The destruction of this tunnel, as well as many others like it or similar, as well as other terror facilities, pushes Hamas to the edge.
01:52Professor Coby Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the MISGAV Institute, stressed that while this is one of the longest and most complicated tunnels discovered, it is far from the only one.
02:07This is an example of a root tunnel, a strategic one that feeds many tactic tunnels and is used for strategic purposes such as command and control, weapon storage, manufacturing platforms of weapons and strategic logistics.
02:24Michael added that such tunnels are typically manned by hundreds of militants and commanders, forming the backbone of Hamas's underground defence and offensive strategy.
02:38The IDF also believes this tunnel network may have been connected to the area where Latir Hadar Golden, an Israeli soldier abducted during the 2014 Gaza War, was held captive.
02:49Hamas returned Golden's remains earlier this month, more than a decade later.
02:55The tunnel's exposure has renewed focus on Hamas's investment in underground warfare.
03:01Estimates suggest such a system costs millions of Israeli shekels in construction materials, engineering, labour and logistics.
03:12If you take into consideration the amount of building materials, labour and facilities and its length,
03:17it is a matter of millions of INS.
03:22He added that Hamas built tunnels under sensitive civilian and humanitarian sites to deter IDF strikes.
03:29The dismantling of Hamas's tunnel networks remains a central part of Israel's broader military strategy.
03:37Israeli leaders say rooting out these underground routes is essential to preventing future attacks and weakening Hamas's operational capacity.
03:45In 2014, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas's tunnels, which militants had used to infiltrate Israeli territory, saying Israel would do so with or without a ceasefire.
04:01A Reuters investigation in 2023 reported that Hamas used tunnels to hide hostages taken during its Octa-7 attack on Israel.
04:12Israel's military says its ground forces have uncovered around 1,500 tunnels and shafts across the Gaza Strip.
04:19As Israel continues its operations, the uncovering and destruction of the so-called Root Tunnel is being described by analysts as a potentially decisive moment.
04:32One that they believe could reshape the dynamics of Israel's efforts to dismantle Hamas's underground capabilities.
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