Israeli Army Displays Tunnels in Southern Gaza to Reporters, According to Reuters

RAFAH, Gaza – On Friday, the Israeli army guided reporters to tunnels discovered by troops in southern Gaza, including the entrance to an underground chamber where the remains of six Israeli hostages, killed by Hamas, were retrieved on September 1.

For security reasons, the military did not permit reporters to enter the tunnel, located in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah. However, they released footage showcasing a narrow, airless passage, approximately 20 meters (66 feet) below ground, where they believe the hostages may have been held for weeks.

"There is a complete maze of tunnels here in Tel al-Sultan," stated Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari while standing next to the shaft that led down to the tunnel, which appeared to originate from a child’s room in a collapsed house. He emphasized the urgency of their mission, noting, "We need to do everything we can, by all means, to bring them back home," referring to the 101 hostages that Israel claims are still in the hands of Hamas militants.

According to the Israeli military, the six hostages were killed on the night of August 29, with their bodies recovered by troops approximately two days later. The Tel al-Sultan tunnel is part of a larger network uncovered by Israeli forces operating near Rafah, close to the border with Egypt. The army reported that around 13 kilometers of underground tunnel routes have been discovered in recent months.

During the visit, the military also showcased a broader tunnel, large enough for a truck to drive through, which led into Egypt but was blocked on the Egyptian side. Notably, while much of Gaza lies in ruins due to months of conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters, the roadway along the Philadelphi Corridor, adjacent to Egypt, has recently been repaved.

Since Israel’s invasion of Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 individuals, foreign media organizations have largely been barred from entering the area. The ongoing Israeli campaign has devastated much of Gaza, displacing the majority of its 2.3 million residents, with Palestinian health ministry figures indicating over 41,000 deaths.

As part of the conditions for the reporters’ visit, the military required that images be submitted for review by the military censor, although no publications were obstructed.