Gaza Tunnel System Reveals Hamas Infrastructure as Israeli Forces Continue Operations

GAZA CITY, Gaza — The facts on the ground in Gaza tell a stark story of the infrastructure that Hamas built beneath one of the world’s most densely populated areas, and the challenges that now stand in the way of reconstruction.

In the Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, Israeli military forces revealed this week what they describe as an extensive tunnel network that served as living quarters and operational facilities for Hamas fighters. The underground dormitory contained mattresses, a fully tiled bathroom with plumbing, and electrical systems capable of powering lights and electronic equipment. Women’s undergarments hanging on the walls suggest family members may have sheltered there, a stark contrast to the civilian population above who had no such refuge.

The Israeli Defense Forces provided access to the site under conditions that restricted photography of most military personnel, citing operational security. It should be noted that requests for independent journalistic access to Gaza have been denied by Israeli authorities, limiting verification of conditions on the ground.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesperson, stated that Israeli forces estimate between 300 and 600 miles of tunnels exist beneath Gaza, though he acknowledged this remains an approximation as new passages continue to be discovered. The scope of the tunnel network represents a significant engineering undertaking by Hamas over many years, diverting resources that might otherwise have served Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.

The Israeli military maintains that complete destruction of this tunnel system is a prerequisite for any reconstruction efforts in Gaza. This position aligns with the peace plan advanced by President Donald Trump’s administration, which envisions rebuilding the territory once security concerns have been addressed.

The security situation remains unresolved. According to Shoshani, Hamas fighters have not surrendered their weapons, a key requirement under the Trump peace plan. Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza with the stated objective of preventing future attacks against Israel.

The visit to Shujaiya revealed a landscape transformed by conflict. Where Israel’s border region features paved roads and cultivated farmland, northern Gaza presents a scene of widespread destruction and unpaved thoroughfares. The sound of gunfire was audible during the visit, underscoring that active military operations continue.

No Palestinian civilians were encountered during the two-hour visit. The area east of what Israeli forces call the “yellow line” remains under Israeli military control, encompassing just over half of Gaza’s territory. The demarcation line separates zones under Israeli and Palestinian administration, though the practical meaning of Palestinian control in the current circumstances remains unclear.

Before the Hamas-led attack on October 7, Gaza’s population stood at approximately 2.3 million. The current status and location of these civilians, and the timeline for their return to destroyed neighborhoods like Shujaiya, remains uncertain as military operations continue and the tunnel destruction proceeds.

The situation presents a complex challenge: reconstruction cannot begin while the tunnel network remains intact, yet the process of locating and destroying hundreds of miles of underground passages will require considerable time. Meanwhile, the displaced population of Gaza waits, and the question of when normal life might resume remains unanswered.

And that is the situation as it stands today in Gaza City.