From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 20, 2024
IDF finds tunnel under Hamas commander’s home in Khan Younis where about 20 hostages had been held
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF releases images showing the inside of a tunnel in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, in which Israeli hostages were previously held by Hamas.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says in an evening press conference that an entrance to the tunnel was found in the home of a Hamas commander.
He says troops battled Hamas gunmen inside the tunnel, killing them. The tunnel contained explosive devices and blast doors, he says.
Hagari says that one kilometer in and about 20 meters below ground, the soldiers found a large room where hostages had been previously held.
Some hostages held there have already been released, he says, noting that the soldiers found drawings made by five-year-old Emilia Aloni, who was released in November.
The area had five holding cells, each with a mattress and a toilet, he says.
According to Hagari, some 20 hostages were held in the tunnel at different times.
“According to the information we have, in this tunnel 20 hostages were held, at different times, in difficult conditions without daylight, with dense air, little oxygen, and terrible humidity which makes it hard to breathe,” Hagari says.
“Some were released some 50 days ago, and others are held in Gaza, possibly in even worse conditions,” he adds.
