Israel Uncovers Massive Hamas Tunnel Network: 7km Long Complex Where Fallen Soldier's Remains Were Held

Israel Discovers Extensive Hamas Tunnel Network Where Fallen Soldier's Body Was Held

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has discovered a massive Hamas tunnel network in the Gaza Strip where Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's remains were held. Lieutenant Goldin was killed during an ambush in Gaza during the 2014 Israel-Hamas conflict, and his remains were recently recovered by Israeli forces.

On Thursday, the IDF released video footage of the tunnel on social media platform X. According to the military, this elaborate underground structure runs beneath a densely populated Rafah neighborhood and passes through a UNRWA (United Nations Agency For Palestinian Refugees) compound, mosques, healthcare facilities, and kindergartens.

The tunnel served as a strategic asset for Hamas commanders, who utilized it for weapons storage, operational planning, and extended shelter during military operations.

The underground complex is remarkably extensive, measuring over seven kilometers in length and reaching depths of 25 meters below the surface. It contains approximately 80 rooms and was discovered through the combined efforts of the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit and the Shayetet 13 naval commando unit.

Military investigators found sections of the tunnel that functioned as command centers for senior Hamas commanders, including Muhammad Shabana, who was killed alongside Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar during an operation in May.

In a related development, the IDF announced the arrest of Marwan Al-Hams, described as "a Hamas terrorist involved in the determination of Lt. Hadar Goldin's death." Military officials indicated that Al-Hams was suspected of knowing where Lt. Goldin's remains were buried in what they referred to as the "White-Crowned" tunnel in Rafah.

The IDF stated that the operation conducted in July 2025 was "part of dozens of confidential operations carried out in the past 6 months to retrieve Lt. Hadar Goldin & return him for burial in Israel."

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to claim lives. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip killed five people and wounded 18 others in Khan Younis. Medical personnel reported that one strike on a residence in Bani Suhaila town east of Khan Younis resulted in three fatalities, including an infant girl, and left 15 people wounded. Another strike killed one person and injured three others in nearby Abassan town.

These military actions occurred as Hamas and Israel traded accusations of violating a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for nearly six weeks.

The current Gaza conflict began following Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and the taking of 251 hostages. Israel's military response has reportedly caused over 69,000 Palestinian fatalities, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.