RAFAH, GAZA STRIP – A dramatic IDF operation ended in a powerful explosion this week as Israeli combat engineers destroyed a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza—and took out a squad of militants hiding inside.
Watch how the terrorist unit was eliminated:
Golani forces operating in the Morag Corridor | Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
Acting on intelligence gathered over recent weeks, the Golani Brigade’s combat team—backed by elite Yahalom engineering units—carried out a focused mission in the “Morag Corridor,” a strategic strip between Khan Younis and Rafah. The operation, commanded by the IDF’s 36th Division, led to the elimination of dozens of terrorists, the exposure of numerous tunnel shafts, and the destruction of hundreds of terror-related infrastructure sites.
Deadly Escape Route Ends in Flames
At the heart of the operation was a tunnel used by Hamas fighters to escape after a deadly IED attack that killed IDF Capt. Raviv and Staff Sgt. Sharur. The tunnel shaft was rigged with explosives, and after a swift analysis of the escape path, Yahalom units were deployed to demolish the tunnel, which stretched several hundred meters underground.
Troops secure tunnel shaft following explosion | Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
Militants Neutralized Inside the Tunnel
While clearing the tunnel, troops discovered an additional Hamas cell hiding within. The soldiers engaged the terrorists in close combat, successfully neutralizing them and preventing future use of the tunnel for both attacks and escape routes.
IDF officials emphasized that the mission marked another step in its ongoing campaign to dismantle Hamas’ subterranean network—a key tactical asset for the group in the dense, urban areas of Gaza.
Engineering unit prepares demolition charges | Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
IDF Vows to Continue Campaign Against Terror
In a statement following the mission, the IDF reiterated its commitment to fight terror organizations operating within civilian areas while taking extensive measures to avoid harming non-combatants and ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens.
