IDF Shows Hamas Tunnel Used for Oct. 7 Attack and Hostage Taking
A mile-and-a-half long tunnel, described as a 'city under a city,' was revealed by the IDF, highlighting its role in the initial assault on Kibbutz Nahal Oz and the subsequent kidnapping of 18 hostages.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has provided journalists with an unprecedented look inside a sprawling Hamas terror tunnel, a key element in the organization's devastating Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. This subterranean network, measuring approximately a mile and a half in length, served as both a launchpad for the attack that killed over 60 soldiers and 15 civilians, and a route for Hamas terrorists to escape with 18 hostages.
During a tour of the tunnel, located less than half a mile from Nahal Oz, an IDF commander described the extensive network as a "city under a city" in the Gaza Strip. The entrance, concealed in a leveled area, featured a reinforced door designed to impede IDF soldiers' progress while allowing terrorists to retreat. Inside, the tunnel system was equipped with amenities for prolonged stays, including barracks, bathrooms, air-conditioned rooms, a functioning water system, and sleeping quarters capable of housing thousands of Hamas operatives.
The tunnel's infrastructure included narrow stone hallways illuminated by side-mounted lights, overhead electrical wiring, and water pipes, facilitating the movement and sustenance of its occupants. IDF officials believe some of the Israeli hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack may have been held within this newly discovered tunnel during the subsequent conflict.
The assault on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where seven residents were taken hostage from the kibbutz itself, including soldiers Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, resulted in one of the bloodiest massacres of the day. Security camera footage from the IDF base at Nahal Oz captured the rapid invasion by hundreds of Hamas terrorists.
Following the attack, harrowing images emerged depicting the aftermath, including damaged buildings, burned homes, and evidence of civilian casualties. The IDF has stated that it has destroyed at least 32 miles of Hamas' tunnel network since the war began, but estimates that the more than 300 miles of tunnels beneath Gaza could take years to fully dismantle.
Journalists were also shown the heavily damaged vicinity of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where the IDF spokesperson Rona Epstein grew up. She recounted the loss of her brother and other family members during the Oct. 7 attack, which claimed the lives of 64 residents, including infants and children. Kfar Aza, once home to about 1,000 residents, now houses only 200 due to the attack's impact.
Despite ongoing military operations and Israeli control over approximately 70% of Gaza, sporadic fighting continues. IDF officials noted that Hamas is actively attempting to rebuild its infrastructure, with recruitment ongoing among younger Palestinians. The efforts to neutralize Hamas' tunnel network are considered crucial to Israel's long-term security objectives.