The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday released footage of a tunnel facility in the Gaza Strip that it claims was used to hold hostages captured by Hamas on October 7.
Emmanuel Fabian, a military correspondent for the Times of Israel, tweeted that the Israeli Defense Forces had discovered a large tunnel facility in the city's Khan Yunis district, within the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces, Fabian added, said commandos, combat engineers and other special forces discovered the tunnel facility and, after an investigation, concluded that it was used at some point to hold Israeli hostages. (Related: Video showing Israeli Defense Force soldiers in close combat with Hamas fighters)
“The Israel Defense Forces has released footage of Hamas tunnels in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, where they believe the terrorist organization previously held hostages,” Fabian tweeted.
The Israel Defense Forces has released footage of a Hamas tunnel in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, where it believes hostages were previously held by the terrorist group.
This tunnel is manned by the Commando Brigade, Yahalom's elite combat engineer unit, and other special forces, and covers a wide area… pic.twitter.com/8dSK7slRcI
— Emmanuel (Manny) Fabian (@manniefabian) January 11, 2024
Fabian said the IDF reportedly claimed to have discovered “more than 300 tunnel shafts” in the Khan Yunis area alone and destroyed or “made unusable” “more than 100 tunnels.” There is. I.D.F. Said The Jerusalem Post reported that the tunnel was equipped with a ventilation system, power supply and plumbing.
IDF forces discovered a vast tunnel complex beneath Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, where they found evidence that Hamas was holding Israeli hostages there.
Please see here for the detail: https://t.co/6MlkuNA4E2 pic.twitter.com/q7lWEhge4V
— Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) January 11, 2024
Footage released by the IDF appears to support these claims, showing bundles of electrical cords, large pipes, and a bathroom with a toilet. Khan Yunis is an area where heavy fighting continues between Israel and Hamas.The Israeli military believes senior Hamas leadership, including Chief Yahya Sinwar, may now be hiding under Khan Yunis' network of underground tunnels, The Jerusalem Post report.
Hamas rioted in southern Israel on October 7, taking over 200 hostages and leaving 1,200 dead. More than 100 hostages were released from Hamas custody as part of a brief seven-day ceasefire from November 24 to December 1. Many of these hostages remain in the Gaza Strip after fighting resumes.
