Since the start of the Gaza conflict, the Israeli army has identified more than 1,500 tunnels linked to the Hamas movement, according to a report from TASS. The notice indicates that as ground operations continued in Gaza, Israeli troops detected roughly 1,500 tunnels and underground passages attributed to Hamas.
Official briefings from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) note that a number of underground structures were found beneath civilian sites, including schools, hospitals, mosques, UN facilities, and other civilian institutions. This pattern underscores concerns about the use of populated areas for concealment and movement by militant groups.
Earlier accounts described a particularly large tunnel complex, described by officials as the most significant tunnel network uncovered to date. Sources characterized the scale of the system as extensive, with a depth reported around 50 meters and a length approaching 4 kilometers. The tunnel was described as wide enough for conventional vehicles to traverse, and its construction quality led some observers to compare its finish to sophisticated subway tunneling projects seen in other nations.
In late December, IDF forces also highlighted the discovery of what was described as the largest tunnel system connected to Hamas during the Gaza operation. The emphasis was on the strategic importance of such networks for movement and supply, as well as the challenges they pose for civilian safety and military planning.
As the conflict has evolved, reports have repeatedly highlighted the deployment of extensive tunnel networks beneath densely populated areas. The Israeli military has stressed the dual priorities of neutralizing threats while safeguarding civilians, a balance that influences ongoing operational decisions. Observers note that tunnels extend across a range of urban environments and are often integrated with civilian infrastructure, complicating efforts to distinguish combatants from noncombatants in real-time operations.
The revelations surrounding these tunnels contribute to a broader international discussion about how modern insurgent and militant groups exploit subterranean routes. Analysts and policymakers alike emphasize the need for robust humanitarian protections, precise targeting, and transparent communication with the public as military campaigns unfold in urban theaters.
Ultimately, the presence of such tunnel networks highlights the strategic complexity of the Gaza conflict. They reflect a difficult reality for military planners, humanitarian organizations, and residents who live in areas where fighting intersects with underground pathways and civilian life. Ongoing assessments consider how best to reduce risk to civilians while dismantling illicit infrastructure that supports militant operations.