Sinwar’s Subterranean Network

Terror Tunnels Near a Humanitarian Crossing

Today, we are exposing one of Hamas' largest tunnel systems to date, built - very intentionally - ominously close to the Erez Humanitarian Crossing, a vital artery for Gazans who crossed there to receive medical care or enter Israel for employment.

This discovery underscores a harrowing reality: Hamas regularly, routinely and quite deliberately prioritizes its terror infrastructure over the welfare of its own people.

For many of us, national infrastructure projects are hospitals, transportation networks, or investments in supply chains.

For Hamas, it’s terrorism.

And like in real estate, the location here speaks louder than anything else.

Erez Crossing: A Beacon of Hope

Erez Crossing has long stood as a symbol of hope and coexistence. 

In 2022 alone, it saw over 800,000 people crossings between Gaza and Israel. 2023 - at least until October 7th, was on track to surpass this figure. This provided direct support to the Gaza economy too - the average salary of Gazan workers in Israel is six times higher than in Gaza and about 18,500 Gazans held work permits to work in Israel, highlighting the crossing's critical economic importance.

Yet, Hamas, with its relentless focus on terror tactics, undermines these opportunities, seeing the crossing as a weak point for infiltration instead of a source of strength for coexistence.

But before we get to the tunnel, Hamas made it clear that it saw Erez as a point of entry into Israel on October 7th. 

Erez: the Turning Points and Tragedy

On that deadly day, the crossing was used as one of the points of infiltration by Hamas terrorists. The parallel - a crossing dedicated to humanitarian crossings being used as an attack - is stark. 

This has a very real cost for Israelis too.

Only last week, the IDF announced that it had recovered the remains of two 19-year-old IDF soldiers who were abducted in the attack on Erez -  CPL Nik Beizer and SGT Ron Sherman. 

This act not only highlighted Hamas' cruel indifference to human life but also its strategic folly in targeting a facility that serves its own people.

But beneath the surface in Gaza, extending to just a few hundred meters away was a massive network of tunnels, excavated over the course of many years and personally led by the Sinwar family. These tunnels were connected to the broader Hamas tunnel network and even wide enough for a vehicle to drive through.

Today, the IDF exposes this to the world. 

The Tunnel: A Warren of War

When thinking about a terrorist tunnel, it’s easy to picture a small hole, dug with shovels and pickaxes.

But for these tunnels, it’s closer to a subway. Take a look.

The section of the tunnel that we exposed is well over four kilometers (2.5 miles) and reaches up to 50 meters deep. That’s the height of the Statue of Liberty.

This was a project personally overseen and led by the Sinwar family - in fact, we’ve also released a video of Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Sinwar’s brother, driving through the tunnel in a vehicle. 

This is a massive project that costs millions. Like other strategic tunnels in Gaza, the tunnel near Erez Crossing is equipped with electricity, ventilation, and communication networks, displaying the typical concrete ribbing from other tunnels in Gaza.

Blast doors are spread throughout the tunnel to fight, section by section, and weapons were recovered from within the tunnel.

Over the last few weeks, while securing the tunnel, IDF forces came under attack from these tunnels too. 

This isn’t a fly-by-night operation; in fact, videos we recovered show the extent of the investment here. Hamas used special excavation gear smuggled into Gaza, operated by terrorists from Khan Yunis.

The video below proves that this was a major construction project, all guided by the idea that the Israeli homefront can be best attacked via the humanitarian crossings it operates.

Imagine what Hamas could have accomplished for the people of Gaza if they invested in them instead of investing in terror.

IDF's Response: Vigilance

The IDF's response to this threat has been swift and sophisticated. Utilizing advanced technology and ground forces, the IDF has systematically dismantled parts of Hamas' tunnel network, a clear testament to our unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the well-being of innocents in Gaza. Like other tunnels throughout Gaza, we are eliminating the threat that they pose.

Hamas has undermined Gaza with tunnels that are deliberately dug underneath hospitals, mosques, schools and humanitarian sites.

They are there because by endangering Gaza civilians, Hamas can attack Israeli civilians. 

In Conclusion: A Call for Reflection

Humanitarian aid to Gaza follows a path overcast by the shadows of Hamas' choices - a reality that we, as defenders of our nation and as proponents of human dignity, must tirelessly work to change.

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Operational Updates

Gaza Strip:

• Following the tragic incident in which three Israeli hostages were killed by IDF fire last week, the IDF published the details of the preliminary review into the incident and further investigations are continuing. The IDF takes full responsibility for the tragedy and expresses its deepest condolences to the families.

• On Sunday, Israel opened the Kerem Shalom Crossing for the direct transfer of humanitarian aid from Israel into the Gaza Strip.

• The 7th Brigade eliminated Hamas terrorists, located approximately 30 tunnel shafts, and destroyed anti-tank missile and lookout posts in Khan Yunis

• In Jabaliya, the Nahal Brigade located an operational tunnel shaft inside a children's room in the basement of a building.

Northern Israel:

• On Saturday, an IDF reservist was killed in a UAV attack along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

• Ongoing rocket launches from Lebanon toward northern Israel continued on Sunday. The IDF responded to the attacks with strikes on Hezbollah terrorist cells and military infrastructure in Lebanon.

US-Israel partnership:

• On Friday, the Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla arrived in Israel for an official visit. During his visit, he met with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, and conducted a security situational assessment with the ISA Chief and additional senior officials in the IDF.

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Quote of the Day

Late last week, three Israeli hostages, abducted by Hamas and held in Gaza for over 70 days, were tragically killed by IDF forces. The IDF is conducting a thorough investigation and I, together with the IDF at large, express our deepest remorse. As the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, summarized:

The IDF, and I as its commander, are responsible for what happened, and we will do everything to prevent such incidents from recurring in future combat."

What I'm Reading

Okay, not what I’m reading today. Life must go on, even during war, and today I was pleased to have two new officers who graduated from the IDF Cadet’s Course join the International Media Branch. 

I like to give them a slightly meaningful present when they join…so I chose to give them each a copy of “The Attention Revolution” by Micha Goodman. As he summarizes in another article:

Like David and Goliath, the relationship between human beings and technology is asymmetrical. Technology has proved greater and more powerful than the humans who invented it. Those who imagine that we can protect ourselves from it using willpower alone do not grasp the power imbalance. If our humanity cannot protect itself by defeating technology, perhaps it can defend itself by harnessing technology. Real-world examples include technology installed in vehicles that prevents the driver from texting, surfing the web, or receiving notifications when the car is in motion; and a cell phone jamming technology that creates small zones of quiet at a restaurant or business meeting or family living room. I call these “technologically liberating technologies.”

Here’s to us paying attention to the right things.