French broadcaster journalist Régine Delfour accessed a portion of the underground infrastructure near the Nahal Oz kibbutz, detailing a complex system used by Hamas for weapon transport, command centers, and cross-border movement.
Scale and Structure of the Gaza Tunnel Network
The underground passages extend across an estimated 700 kilometers beneath the Gaza Strip, according to CNEWS reporting. This total length equals roughly three times the size of the Paris metro system. The network features concrete reinforcements, electrical cables running along gray walls, and graffiti left inside the passageways. These subterranean routes were originally dug over decades for smuggling goods before Hamas repurposed them for military operations, allowing fighters to launch attacks into Israeli territory without detection.
Operational Purpose and Strategic Ramifications
Inside the subterranean corridors, fighters transport rockets, ammunition, and supplies through branching pathways that connect to various locations, including areas near the Egyptian border at Rafah. According to CNEWS, certain segments function as hidden command and control centers for Hamas. The extensive network presents a primary tactical objective for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as military operations continue in the region following the October 7 attacks, which resulted in more than 1,200 deaths in Israel.
