Israel Uncovers Hamas Tunnel Network Under UN Palestinian Refugee Agency Headquarters in Gaza City
In a shocking discovery, Israel has uncovered a Hamas tunnel network beneath the headquarters of the embattled UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza City. The intricate tunnel system, which ran nearly 60 feet deep and stretched for half a mile, was revealed in footage uploaded to X on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that one of the ten entrances to the tunnels was found near a UNRWA school.
What is even more alarming is that the militants were siphoning electricity directly from the UNRWA headquarters to power their terror infrastructure. The IDF found evidence of similar power systems installed in tunnel networks beneath hospitals in Gaza, where electricity was stolen from the buildings. This revelation raises serious concerns about the extent of Hamas’ infiltration into critical institutions.
The UNRWA is currently under investigation following the revelation that at least 12 staff members participated in a brutal Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel. Israeli intelligence claims that a majority of the agency’s staffers have relatives with ties to the Palestinian terror group, further deepening suspicions about their involvement.
During a tour of the tunnels, IDF Lt. Col. Ido stated that it was evident that the newly uncovered network was being powered by UNRWA. He pointed to the wires connecting the headquarters to the tunnel, stating, “The batteries, the electricity on walls, everything is conducted from here, all the energy for the tunnels which you walked through them are powered from here.”
The Israeli military also discovered various weapons inside the UNRWA headquarters, including rifles, ammunition, grenades, and explosives. However, reporters on the tour noted that definitive proof of Hamas terrorists actively operating beneath the UNRWA headquarters was not provided by the Israeli military.
In response to these allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini denied any knowledge of Hamas facilities underground but acknowledged that an independent inquiry should be conducted to investigate the findings. Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA is a humanitarian organization without the military and security expertise to undertake inspections of what may be beneath its premises.
Lazzarini further stated that the headquarters had been inspected in September and showed no signs of tampering by Hamas. He suggested that the alleged powerline connection between the tunnel and the base, as well as the weapons found, were likely new discoveries since the agency had not revisited the headquarters since its evacuation on October 12th.
Interestingly, Lazzarini criticized Israel for allegedly not informing UNRWA about the new tunnel, with the agency only learning about it through media reports. He highlighted the UN group’s transparency over previous tunnel discoveries, where both Hamas and Israel were notified, and the information was made publicly available.
The uncovering of the Hamas tunnel network beneath the UNRWA headquarters raises serious questions about the extent of Hamas’ infiltration into critical institutions. It underscores the need for thorough investigations and increased security measures to prevent such activities in the future. The international community must address these concerns to ensure the safety and integrity of humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones.
