Truck-Height Hamas Tunnel Discovered on Gaza-Egypt Border

Latest Developments

Israeli forces uncovered an unusually large tunnel during operations along the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on August 4. According to photos provided by the IDF, the tunnel was located within view of Egyptian guard towers and the border fence, had a 10-foot-high clearance — enough to drive large vehicles through — and had concrete reinforced walls, ceilings, and floors. Further, the IDF’s statement said that troops continue to investigate and disable the route. The IDF has discovered and destroyed dozens of underground tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor, “including at least 25 that crossed into Egypt,” according to The Times of Israel.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel would stand firm on keeping troops along the Gaza-Egypt border under any truce deal with Hamas. “[Hamas] demands that we withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing — its lifelines, which would allow it to rearm and rebuild its strength,” Netanyahu said. “It is important to set out the principle: We are not leaving from there.”

Expert Analysis

“With each week that passes since Israeli forces belatedly stormed Rafah, more is becoming known about the extent to which Hamas smuggling in what it needed from Egyptian territory. Cairo has either denied its role in permitting these tunnels or played dumb. But how could any self-respecting government be unaware of a tunnel you could literally drive a truck through?” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The IDF continues to find Hamas tunnels and further evidence of the underground empire of terror that Hamas assembled in southern Gaza. This is important work and should continue in order to prevent Hamas from returning to rule Gaza and use it as a springboard for more attacks.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The discovery of a large tunnel in southern Gaza should not be unexpected. Hamas recognized years ago that building an extensive tunnel network beneath Gaza would offer its fighters and military infrastructure protection from Israeli airstrikes. Now, Israel must learn from its recent discovery and determine the tunnel’s specific functions.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Philadelphi Corridor is a ‘Lifeline’ for Hamas

Israel took operational control of the Philadelphi Corridor on May 29. IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained during a press briefing that evening that the corridor was a “lifeline” for Hamas. Hagari said that the terrorist group “regularly smuggled weapons into the Gaza Strip” ‏via the Philadelphi Corridor and that the IDF “located dozens of launchers along the corridor, loaded and ready to fire rockets, and launch pits from which Hamas fired rockets and mortars into Israeli territory.” Hagari also emphasized that “Hamas exploited the Philadelphi Corridor, using it to build this infrastructure just dozens of meters from the border with Egypt so that we would not strike them.”  

Related Analysis

“Netanyahu Dismisses Claim That Israel May Vacate the Philadelphi Corridor,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli forces in Rafah report discovering numerous tunnels and significant terrorist infrastructure,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“IDF Discovers ‘There is Almost No Home Without a Tunnel’ in Rafah,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Tunnels to Egypt Played Key Role in Arming Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief