A labyrinth of underground tunnels across the Gaza Strip in Palestine has been revealed in new photographs, it is said that Hamas has taken decades and an estimated $1bn to build
Known as the “Gaza metro” tunnels, this is where Hamas hostages were chained and tortured for up to two years. It is also reportedly where top commanders plotted attacks on Israel.
Now, these tunnels have been opened up to Western journalists, according to the Daily Mail and The Sun. In total, there are estimated to be up to 1,300 tunnels spread across the entire Gaza Strip which Hamas reportedly spent decades and an estimated $1bn building.
The vast network has been nicknamed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “Gaza Metro”. It runs for a staggering 450 miles at a depth of 230ft. The tunnels have now been described as being cramped and narrow with low ceilings that “provoke claustrophobia for most people who find themselves inside them”.
It has since been revealed by the Daily Mail that many of the 254 Israeli hostages were held in similar tunnels in total darkness and where Hamas’ senior commanders allegedly plotted attacks on Israel.
The spider web of tunnels allowed Hamas members to move around undetected through nearly 6,000 access shafts.
One of the biggest tunnels discovered 150ft underground was big enough to drive a truck through.
The tunnel network was incredibly advanced and had command and control centres that allowed troops to move around and for weapons to be smuggled, the Daily Mail said.
It was in this labyrinth of underground tunnels that the Israeli hostages were kept.
The particular maze that has been opened up to journalists – named White Sparrow which in Hebrew translates to Freedom of the Son – was home to the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, Israel’s longest-held hostage, for more than 11 years.
Despite the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which came into effect in October, hostilities have continued, with Israeli attacks reportedly killing at least 379 Palestinians and injuring 992, according to Al Jazeera.
In Gaza itself, the UN estimates that 75% of buildings across the Strip have been destroyed or damaged – in the Shaboura neighbourhood of Rafah it is estimated by the organisation to be 100%.
Almost every single building has been blitzed and the handful that remain standing are damaged beyond repair.
The world continues to hold its breath that the ceasefire can move to phase two but the IDF is still searching underground to make sure no terrorists remain undetected.
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