Israeli Forces Uncover 4 km Tunnel by Gaza Border, Fit for Vehicle Passage

Israel's military reveals a four-kilometer tunnel near the Gaza border, designed for vehicles, used by Hamas militants in a devastating attack on October 7. The discovery prompts concerns about Israel's border defenses and the extensive tunnel network beneath civilian areas in Gaza.

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In a recent discovery, the Israeli military uncovered a substantial four-kilometer tunnel near the Gaza border, designed to accommodate vehicles, marking a significant security breach. The tunnel, strategically positioned close to the Erez crossing, once a bustling gateway into Israel, has alarmed military officials.

The extensive tunnel network, spanning Gaza, facilitated the clandestine movement of vehicles, militants, and supplies, leading up to a devastating attack on October 7. On that day, Hamas militants utilized a rocket-propelled grenade to breach the border wall, infiltrating an Israeli military base near the Erez crossing. This attack resulted in the loss of at least three soldiers and the abduction of several others back into Gaza.

The aftermath triggered a relentless 10-week war, claiming over 18,000 lives in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel asserts that dismantling Hamas' tunnel infrastructure is a critical objective, despite the network's presence beneath civilian areas such as schools and hospitals.

Israeli authorities faced criticism for failing to anticipate the October 7 attack. Major Nir Dinar, a military spokesperson, explained that existing border defenses focused on detecting tunnels crossing into Israel, rendering this particular tunnel undetected. Its inconspicuous entrance, concealed beneath a garage, eluded surveillance by Israeli drones and satellite imagery.

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The entrance, a circular cement opening leading to an expansive passageway, was located under the garage to evade detection. Major Dinar emphasized the shock at the scale of the tunnel, stating, "It's no surprise that this was the Hamas strategy all along. The surprise is that they have succeeded, and the size of this tunnel…was really shocking."

The Erez crossing, a symbolic and heavily fortified facility processing Palestinian movement into Israel, suffered extensive damage during the October 7 attack and remains closed. The Israeli military's specialized "Yahalom" unit, focusing on tunnel warfare, has been actively excavating the tunnel, discovering weapons within. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, highlighted, "At this point, this is the biggest tunnel in Gaza."