Fri Nov 21 04:21:34 UTC 2025: News Article:
IDF Uncovers Massive Hamas Tunnel Where Soldier’s Body Was Held, Arrests Suspect
Gaza Strip – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday the discovery of a vast Hamas tunnel network in the Gaza Strip, where the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was once held. Goldin was killed in 2014 during an ambush in Gaza, and his remains were recently returned to Israel.
The IDF revealed that the tunnel, stretching over seven kilometers and reaching depths of 25 meters, contains approximately 80 rooms and runs beneath a densely populated area of Rafah, including civilian infrastructure such as a UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics, and kindergartens. According to the IDF, the tunnel was used by Hamas commanders for storing weapons, planning attacks, and sheltering for extended periods.
The elite Yahalom combat engineering unit and the Shayetet 13 naval commando unit uncovered the tunnel, discovering rooms used as command posts by high-ranking Hamas officials, including Muhammad Shabana, who was killed alongside Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in May.
In a separate operation, the IDF also announced the arrest of Marwan Al-Hams, a Hamas member allegedly involved in determining the death of Lt. Hadar Goldin. Al-Hams is also suspected of knowing the location of Goldin’s burial within the tunnel network.
The operation was part of a series of operations conducted in the past six months to retrieve Lt. Hadar Goldin & return him for burial in Israel.
The discoveries come amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip. Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis resulted in casualties, with both sides accusing each other of violating a ceasefire that has been in place for nearly six weeks. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 69,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis dead.
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