Since the start of the war, the Yahalom combat engineering unit has operated throughout the Gaza Strip both above and below ground. The unit focuses on the tunnel network which serves as a key strategic element in the plans of the Hamas terror organization, and which contains strategic and essential centers of gravity for the organization.
A number of strategic tunnels meant for Hamas’ senior leadership, discovered in Khan Yunis, were recently revealed to the public. Now, the IDF has discovered another such tunnel and destroyed it.
Yahalom and other forces under the command of 98th Division raided an underground area in the Khan Yunis region. Upon entering, the soldiers encountered blast doors and other obstacles established by the terrorists to prevent entry.
The soldiers breached the doors and identified terrorists in the tunnel, both with special means and in close-quarter encounters. The tunnel was screened for intelligence and was found to contain bedrooms and infrastructure for providing electricity and water.
The tunnel runs the length of a kilometer and cost millions of shekels to build. It served as part of an extended, strategic network of tunnels under Khan Yunis which served Hamas senior leaders and its Khan Yunis Brigade for hiding and managing the war.
Watch here for a tour of the tunnel (Source: IDF Spokesperson):