IDF Details Underground Hamas Network in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently shared comprehensive information regarding a large underground “terror hub” established by Hamas in Beit Hanun, a city in northern Gaza.
According to the IDF, Hamas has developed a vast system of tunnels lying beneath civilian neighborhoods. They pointed out that “aboveground, thousands of structures have been used as storage for weapons, firing positions, and command centers for terrorists.” Some armed individuals even operated from local elementary schools, with mineshafts leading down to the tunnels below.
During the presentation, journalists were asked to leave the area. IDF commanders indicated that filling a position to uncover Hamas’s tunnel network and illegal weapon caches is crucial. They acknowledged that this task is more complicated than one might imagine.
There are questions about why the IDF chose to reveal details about Beit Hanun now, about six weeks after the war was perceived to have concluded. Some speculate this may be an attempt to sway global opinion towards the disarmament of Hamas.
The IDF has long argued that Hamas strategically uses civilian structures and populations to protect its weapons and hideouts, aware that international media often scrutinizes Israeli actions against these sites more critically than Hamas’s use of human shields.
The operation in Beit Hanun was significant, driven in part by the extensive network of tunnels found beneath the city. IDF officials stated their resolve to expose and eliminate all underground infrastructures.
In response to threats, the IDF conducted heavy artillery fire and air strikes. This came after a Hamas ambush that resulted in multiple casualties among Israeli soldiers. Despite revealing images of confiscated assets, the IDF faced criticism for their actions.
The IDF’s latest findings showed that Hamas’s tunnel system spanned the entirety of Beit Hanun, incorporating numerous above-ground depots, firing positions, and command areas, often using civilian buildings, including schools, to safeguard their operatives and munitions. Footage released by the IDF showed armed individuals escaping from an elementary school in the area.
Just last week, the IDF disclosed the contents of a diary found belonging to a Hamas platoon commander in Beit Hanun. This diary outlined how Hamas exploited schools, hospitals, and even facilities run by the United Nations.
The author, Khaled Abu Akram, detailed his participation in setting up an ambush from a school, and he mentioned taking batteries and solar panels from a UN facility. He also noted instances of stealing electricity from a hospital and concealing unexploded Israeli bombs within a school building.
