Israeli forces find 55-meter-long “terrorist tunnel”, 10 metres beneath Shifa Hospital

The Israeli Securities Authority (ISA) and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have disclosed in an operational update that they have discovered a 55-meter “terrorist tunnel” ten meters beneath the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza. “OPERATIONAL UPDATE: IDF and ISA forces revealed a significant 55-meter-long terrorist tunnel, 10 meters underneath the Shifa Hospital complex, during an intelligence-based operation,” the IDF stated in a post on social media platform X. The update also noted that the tunnel entrance has a firing hole and a blast-proof door, among other defense mechanisms.

“The tunnel entrance contains various defence mechanisms, such as a blast-proof door and a firing hole, in an attempt by Hamas to block Israeli forces from entering,” the IDF said.
“For weeks, we’ve been telling the world about Hamas’ cynical use of the residents of Gaza and patients of Shifa Hospital as human shields. Here is more proof,” it added.

The Israel Defence Forces on Saturday denied that they demanded Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City evacuate within an hour, adding that it only accepted the requests of the medical centre’s director to make a safe route for those who wished to leave, The Times of Israel reported.

“This morning, the IDF granted the director of Shifa Hospital’s request to allow more Gazans who were hospitalized and wished to leave to do so through the secure path,” the IDF said in a statement. The Times of Israel reported that the IDF went on to say that they had actually suggested that the IDF handle any requests for medical evacuation.