The Israel Defense Forces revealed a large Hamas tunnel network in Rafah during a recent operation. The tunnel stretched seven kilometres and reached a depth of 25 metres. It ran beneath busy residential blocks and passed under a UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics and kindergartens.
Elite Yahalom combat engineers and Shayetet 13 naval commandos searched the network and found 80 rooms. Hamas commanders used these rooms to store weapons, plan attacks and hide for long periods. The forces identified command posts linked to senior Hamas leaders, including Muhammad Shabana. Israeli forces killed Shabana earlier this year along with Mohammed Sinwar.
The teams also recovered the remains of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin. Goldin died during a Hamas ambush in Gaza in 2014, and his body stayed hidden in the tunnel for years. Earlier this month, Israel brought his remains home.
The IDF arrested Marwan Al-Hams, accusing him of playing a role in Goldin’s death and knowing where he was buried. The military said the raid formed part of many covert missions over the last six months to return Goldin to Israel.
