In a recent counter-terrorism operation, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops from the Golani Brigade uncovered and destroyed a Hamas underground tunnel system in Rafah, Gaza. According to the IDF spokesperson, the tunnel was located within a former kindergarten compound and just 100 metres from a civilian school—highlighting the group’s deliberate placement of military infrastructure in civilian areas.
During the operation, forces discovered a tunnel shaft that led to a booby-trapped underground passage. This tunnel stretched for dozens of metres and was linked to a larger Hamas tunnel network. Combat engineers from the elite Yahalom unit were deployed to inspect the tunnel before it was demolished.
The IDF emphasized the violation of international norms by Hamas, stating:
“Hamas systematically violates international law by cynically exploiting civilian institutions and using the population as human shields for terrorist activities.”
Operations in Rafah remain ongoing, as Israeli forces continue efforts to dismantle Hamas’s extensive infrastructure both above and below ground.