The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have announced finding a Hamas tunnel network beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. According to the military, the underground facility functioned as a command-and-control center for senior Hamas operatives, facilitating coordination of attacks against Israeli troops.

On Saturday, the IDF shared video footage on the platform X (formerly Twitter), revealing a fortified tunnel system with several rooms reportedly used to store weapons, intelligence documents, and operational equipment. The operation was carried out by the IDF’s 36th Division, in collaboration with the Intelligence Directorate, Golani Brigade, Yahalom Unit, and special forces, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

‘An underground tunnel route beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. In a special, targeted operation, IDF soldiers located an underground tunnel route containing numerous findings such as command and control rooms, weapons, and additional intelligence materials. Hamas continues to exploit hospitals in Gaza for terrorist purposes, cynically exploiting and endangering civilians,’ the IDF said.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have previously released multiple visuals showing reinforced tunnels located under or near hospitals in Gaza, which they allege are part of a vast underground network used by Hamas for military operations. In 2023, the IDF claimed to have uncovered a Hamas tunnel beneath Al Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital—now nearly destroyed in the ongoing conflict. 

The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas' attack in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and many others were taken hostage. Israel responded to the Hamas attack with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.