IDF releases footage of Gaza-Egypt border tunnels Hamas was using to smuggle weapons

The IDF releases footage showing Hamas smuggling tunnels and rocket launchers discovered by troops along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Along the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, adjacent to the southern city of Rafah, the IDF has located so far some 20 tunnels that cross into Egypt. Another 82 tunnel shafts leading into the tunnels have been located in the corridor area.

Hamas has been known to use such tunnels to smuggle weapons into Gaza, despite attempts by Egypt to thwart them in the past decade. A “high-level” source speaking to Egyptian state media this week denied such tunnels still exist.

The IDF says it has so far demolished dozens of tunnel shafts and several “significant” underground routes in the corridor area, while others are still being investigated.

Hamas operatives were killed by IDF troops inside some of the tunnels, the military says.

The IDF also says it located five primed rocket launching sites along the Gaza-Egypt border. The launchers were all demolished.

On Wednesday, the IDF announced that it had established “operational control” over the entire Philadelphi Corridor. Troops are physically located in most of the corridor. There is a small section near the coast where ground forces are not present, but the IDF says it is controlling the area with surveillance and firepower.