IDF forces continue to operate deep inside Gaza, with footage being released today showing the exposure of a terror tunnel underneath Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. The tunnel, 55 meters long and ten meters deep, was excavated at the direction of the Shin Bet and IDF Intelligence through shared action by IDF forces under the command of 36th Division and including special forces from the Shaldag, Yahalom, and Oketz units.
The tunnel shaft, with a deep stairwell leading to it, includes various defensive measures including blast doors and fire slits. This sort of door is used by the Hamas terror organization to block the ability of IDF forces to enter command posts and other underground assets of the organization. The terror tunnel shaft was located in the hospital area under a shed, and a vehicle loaded with weapons such as RPGs, bombs, AK-47s, and more was found near it.
The IDF Spokesperson and Shin Bet Spokesperson stated that “the findings prove beyond all doubt that buildings in the hospital area serve as infrastructure for the Hamas terror organization, for terrorist activity. This is additional proof of the cynical use the Hamas terror organization makes of the residents of the Gaza Strip as a human shield for its murderous terror activity.”
The tunnel shaft at Shifa Hospital. (Source: IDF Spokesperson)
IDF forces also raided the homes of Hamas senior leaders in Rimal, a luxury neighborhood in the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF Spokesperson, combat teams of the Paratrooper Brigade combined with armored, engineering, and air forces worked to locate and destroy Hamas infrastructures and assets.
Weapon-laden vehicle found near tunnel shaft. (Source: IDF Spokesperson)
During the fighting, soldiers found some 35 tunnel shafts, many weapons, and eliminated terrorists. In addition, brigade soldiers raided a military base used by Hamas’ technical department for military intelligence. During the raid, soldiers found weapons and 7 rocket launchers.
The Rimal neighborhood is considered a luxury neighborhood where senior Hamas leaders resided. The IDF said that these commanders exploited the civilian presence to direct terrorism. The neighborhood also contains military outposts and governmental structures.