The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have revealed a significant Hamas tunnel network in southern Gaza, where the remains of Israeli Lieutenant Hadar Goldin were allegedly held for over a decade. The IDF released video footage showcasing this extensive underground system, which stretches more than seven kilometers and reaches depths of approximately 25 meters. It contains around 80 rooms and runs beneath densely populated areas, including a UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics, kindergartens, and schools.

The tunnel was discovered during a Southern Command operation in Rafah, led by the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit and naval commandos from Shayetet 13. Inside the complex, the IDF found living quarters for Hamas operatives, weapon storage areas, and command posts for senior leaders, including Muhammad Shabana, a former commander of the Rafah Brigade, who was killed in May.

Earlier this month, Hamas announced that it had recovered Goldin’s body from a tunnel in Rafah, an area now under Israeli control. Goldin was killed during a Hamas ambush in 2014 and had been missing for over 11 years. His remains were returned to Israel shortly after Hamas's announcement, following extensive searches by Israeli forces that lacked precise intelligence on his location.

The IDF described the tunnel network as one of the most complex it has encountered, highlighting the scale and sophistication of Hamas's underground infrastructure. This discovery comes amid ongoing military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the challenges faced in the region. The recovery of Goldin's remains marks a significant moment for his family and the nation, closing a painful chapter in Israel's history with Hamas.