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ConflictsMiddle East

Israel reveals images of 'Hamas tunnel network'

Gasia Ohanes
December 21, 2023

The Israeli military has said the network is used by Hamas commanders, including those accused of planning the October 7 attacks. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press on with Israel's operation in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU and others.

https://p.dw.com/p/4aSIJ

[Video transcript]

Israeli soldiers inspect buildings, said to be in Gaza City. 

They say they've uncovered entrances to what they allege are secret rooms used by Hamas commanders at several locations.

(Voice of IDF soldier)
"A complex with books of the Quran, that you can see. There is this area, I see graffiti and there are carpets on the floor, maybe some kind of prayer area. Round metal pipes." 

The military says its soldiers also discovered shafts to a 'vast network of tunnels.'

(Voice of IDF soldier)
"There is an electricity box here. This opens, it was closed. This is actually a door, not the back of a box which reaches a space that leads to the tunnel shaft below."

Perhaps the most important discovery: 

This, they believe, was used by the Hamas leader in Gaza himself: Yahya Sinwar, pictured here in an old video.

He's alleged to be one of the chief planners of the October 7 terror attacks.

And Sinwar's elimination is among Israel's top objectives in Gaza.

While Israel's ground troops advance and bombardment continues, Israel has now issued new evacuations orders for Khan Younis in the South, where it claims Sinwar is hiding out.

The plight of Palestinians has led to growing international pressure for a pause in the fighting — but Israel is standing firm.

(Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister)
"We continue the war until the end. It will continue until Hamas is eliminated — until victory. Those who think we will stop are not connected to reality." 

And despite holding talks in Egypt, Hamas is also refusing to budge. In a statement it said it will reject any talks about prisoner and hostage swaps until "Israeli aggression is ended."