BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip Dec 18: The Israeli military announced on Sunday the discovery of a substantial tunnel shaft near the former Erez crossing into Israel, prompting renewed scrutiny of Israeli surveillance capabilities and their failure to detect Hamas' preparations for the Oct. 7 assault. Situated just a few hundred meters from the Erez crossing and an adjacent Israeli military base, the tunnel extends over four kilometers and connects to a broader tunnel network across Gaza. It is wide enough to accommodate vehicles and was utilized to transport militants and supplies in preparation for the Oct. 7 attack.

On that day, militants breached the wall near the Erez crossing using a rocket-propelled grenade, infiltrated the base, and killed at least three soldiers while kidnapping others back to Gaza. This incident was part of a series of breaches along the border wall, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of approximately 240 others. The subsequent conflict has endured for over 10 weeks, claiming over 18,000 lives in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military has faced criticism for its failure to anticipate the attack, with Major Nir Dinar, a military spokesperson, explaining that the tunnel went undetected before Oct. 7 due to the border defenses focusing on tunnels entering Israel. The tunnel's entrance, concealed beneath a garage, escaped detection from Israeli drones and satellite images. While aware of Hamas' tunnel network, the military did not anticipate the execution of such a large-scale attack.

The Erez crossing, a heavily fortified facility of symbolic importance to Hamas, suffered significant damage and remains closed. Israel's special "Yahalom" unit, specializing in tunnel warfare, has been working to excavate the tunnel, uncovering weapons inside. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, revealed that similar "city-sized" tunnels have been identified and are still being mapped. Plans are underway to destroy the tunnel and continue efforts to locate militants in others, emphasizing the rescue of hostages potentially held in these underground passages. (AP)