The Israeli military has uncovered a significant tunnel near the Erez crossing in Gaza, raising concerns about the effectiveness of surveillance in detecting Hamas’ preparations for the October 7 assault. The tunnel, stretching over 2.5 miles and capable of facilitating the movement of vehicles, militants, and supplies, was located just a few hundred yards from the heavily fortified Erez crossing and an Israeli military base.
The October 7 attack involved militants using a rocket-propelled grenade to breach the wall near the Erez crossing, leading to the death of at least three soldiers and the kidnapping of others to Gaza. The breach at various points along the border wall resulted in a devastating war that has lasted over 10 weeks, claiming over 18,000 lives in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israeli officials have faced criticism for not detecting the tunnel and the impending attack in advance. The military stated that the tunnel was not detected earlier because Israel’s border defenses were designed to identify tunnels entering Israel, and the entrance was strategically located under a garage, hidden from drones and satellite images.
While aware of Hamas’ extensive tunnel network, Israeli authorities did not anticipate the successful execution of a large-scale attack. The Erez crossing, a symbolically significant facility for Hamas, suffered heavy damage and remains closed.
The military’s special “Yahalom” unit, specializing in tunnel warfare, is working to excavate the tunnel, revealing its significant size and infrastructure, including ventilation and electricity. The discovery underscores the challenge of preventing such tunnels, which may run beneath civilian infrastructure.
The military plans to destroy the tunnel and continue efforts to locate and neutralize militants hiding in other tunnels. The ongoing conflict has added complexity, with considerations for the rescue of hostages who may be in these tunnels.
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