Israel’s military took a surprising look Thursday inside a key Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza, after finding evidence that some of the terrorists’ hostages had been held there in horrific conditions.
The tunnel was discovered by the Israel Defense Forces Commando Brigade and other special forces in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza that has seen the heaviest fighting in recent weeks.
“After investigating the tunnel, it can be said that there were Israeli hostages in it,” the IDF said after DNA from some of the captives was found.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s chief spokesman, did not say what exactly was found in the tunnel, nor what the DNA was found on.
He also did not identify the hostages located there, nor did he reveal whether they are believed to be alive; He simply said the hostages had been held in “difficult conditions.”
A video tour posted to social media shows the extensive underground tunnel system, which was accessed by a ladder through an 8-foot shaft located “in the heart of a civilian area” in Khan Younis.
The arched tunnel led to a long, dark staircase that connected to multiple underground corridors and rooms, one of which had trash and electrical wires scattered on the floor.
The IDF on Thursday discovered a Hamas tunnel system in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where they believe Israeli hostages were being held in harsh conditions. IDF
The tunnel system also had working pipes, as evidenced by a small bathroom located at the end of one of the hallways where the DNA samples were found.
The IDF added that the tunnel system connected to several entrances into other civilian areas in Khan Younis, where hundreds of thousands of refugees had gathered following mass evacuations in northern Gaza early in the war.
One of the exits led to an apartment complex that was largely destroyed by the fighting, and another led to a civilian residential space that was also left in ruins.
The arched tunnel led to a long, dark staircase that connected to multiple underground corridors and rooms. IDF The tunnel system had working pipes, as evidenced by a small bathroom located at the end of one of the hallways. IDF
For the first time, Western media were also invited to tour the tunnels.
Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, commander of the Israeli army’s 98th Division, told CNN’s Nic Robertson that the army has narrowed the location of some hostages to tunnels beneath Khan Younis.
Goldfus said the goal is to destroy the artificial tunnel system to rescue hostages and end Hamas’ key advantage in the war in Gaza, describing the underground shafts as a “720-degree threat.”
One room that appeared in the video showed trash and electrical cords strewn across the floor. IDF
“It’s not 360, but 720, underground and aerial,” Goldfus said of the coverage provided by the tunnels.
98 Division troops continue fighting in other Hamas tunnel systems located along Khan Younis, with members of the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit focused on finding, studying and destroying the 300-strong “Gaza Metro.” miles long.
Israel also believes that senior Hamas leaders, including Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, are hiding in a tunnel beneath Khan Younis.
“After investigating the tunnel, it can be said that there were Israeli hostages in it,” the IDF said after DNA from some of the captives was found. IDF
The Israeli military has announced that more than 300 tunnel shafts have been located in recent days, and that more than a third of the underground corridors are now destroyed and out of service.
Despite progress, the IDF has yet to locate or release any of the more than 130 hostages still being held by Hamas and its allies.
About 20 of the hostages are believed to be dead, according to Israel, which accuses Hamas of failing to hand over the bodies for burial.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn