**Israeli Military Reveals Gaza Tunnel Where Six Hostages Were Killed by Hamas**
The Israeli military has released footage of a tunnel in Gaza where six hostages were recently killed by the militant group Hamas. The video depicts a low and narrow passageway running deep underground in Palestinian territory, lacking a bathroom and with poor ventilation. The bodies of the six hostages were recovered in this tunnel on August 29. Among the captives was an Israeli American, part of over 200 individuals taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the bodies were found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah around two days later and that the hostages were “brutally” murdered before the troops arrived. The video, released by the IDF, shows the cramped tunnel sealed by an iron door, with bullets and blood visible on the ground.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that the video was recorded last Friday, and the forensic team has since investigated the hostage deaths. The tunnel extends about 120 meters and is approximately 20 meters deep. Hagari noted that the hostages were likely kept in the tunnel for weeks, where it was hard to breathe or stand upright.
The Israeli military spokesperson, struggling to stand in the narrow passageway, pointed out bottles of urine, a makeshift toilet, a chessboard, and ammunition for an automatic rifle. He described the conditions as horrific, with no air to breathe and insufficient space to stand.
### Understanding the ‘Gaza Metro Tunnels’
The tunnels have been an integral part of life in Gaza since the 1980s, even before the formation of the militant group Hamas. Initially, these tunnels were used for transporting food and essentials during blockades, escaping war and aerial attacks, and transferring people across borders to Egypt. However, Hamas has repurposed the network, dubbed the “Gaza Metro,” for military attacks, logistics storage, and transportation routes.
The tunnel network in Gaza is believed to span 41 km long and 10 km wide. Hamas claimed in 2021 to have built 500 km of tunnels under Gaza, though this figure remains unverified.
### The Challenge of Locating Hamas Tunnels
Hamas uses the passageways to store arms and ammunition, change positions to avoid strikes, and smuggle fighters, weapons, and other contraband. The tunnels are designed to be concealed from military forces, with vertical shafts providing access points. These shafts can stretch deep underground, connecting to horizontal tunnel networks to protect those inside from aerial or surface attacks.
Although Israeli forces have destroyed many tunnels, Hamas continues to operate from these underground passages. Tunnels are often hidden inside buildings or structures, making them difficult to locate. The latest tunnel uncovered by the Israeli military was hidden beneath a child’s bedroom in a home in Rafah. In December, the Israeli military discovered the “biggest tunnel to date” in a sand dune at the northern edge of the Gaza Strip. This passage was wide enough to drive a car through and located around 100 meters south of Israel’s Erez military checkpoint.
### Over 100 Hostages Still in Captivity
Following the capture of over 200 people by Hamas last October, more than 100 were released during a November ceasefire as part of a prisoner exchange deal. Additionally, eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli forces, although three Israeli hostages who had escaped captivity were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops in December. According to the Israeli military, 101 hostages remain in captivity, including 35 believed to be dead.
