Hamas continues to expand its huge underground tunnel network in Gaza, with a released Israeli mortgage. Tal Shoham, who was held captive for 505 days, told Fox News that Hamas operators would continuously dig, saying they never stopped, “not for a single day.”
A network named “Gaza Metro” by the Israeli army is estimated to be approximately 560 – 720 km long, with about 5,700 separate shaft tunnels. It is believed that the Gaza strips are spread, including connecting tunnels to various areas, military bases, logistics centers and residential neighborhoods.
The tunnels are dug by hand, using simple tools, and often reinforced with concrete and iron. The network is designed to provide Hamas terrorists along the safe passage, allowing them to be settled.
Shri Shoham was abducted from Kibutz Betteri on 7 October 2023. His wife and young children were taken that day even at the age of four and eight, although he was unaware of his fate at that time. Expecting to protect them, he stepped out to surrender, surrounded by only 40 armed men.
Operated in Gaza in the trunk of a car, he was ordered to kneel, but he told his prisoners, “If you want to kill me, you want to kill me, but you will not execute me as isis.” He was then paraded through the streets of Gaza.
For 50 days, Mr. Shoham did not know whether his wife and children were alive or not. To cope, he imagined his funeral, shocked him in his mind. “I said, but never saw me crying,” he told Fox News. On the 50th day, he received a letter, confirming his existence and release, focusing on his existence.
Shri Shoham was kept in isolation before it was transferred along with other hostages. Eventually, he and three others were transferred to an underground tunnel, where he will remain until his release.
He described the strict conditions inside the tunnel, which is alive on just 300 ml of water daily – both for drinking and washing – and plain rice. Lack of nutrition left him severely weak.
Months in captivity, as his health deteriorated, was finally brought to a doctor. By then, he had developed a severe infection and internal bleeding in his feet, changing them blue, yellow and purple. The doctor provided blood thin and one week vitamin supplements.
“It tasted it like a dog’s food, but it dramatically improved our situation,” Mr. Shoham remembered.
Despite the supplements, he was severely underweight on his release from Gaza. Taal Shoham and another hostage, Omar Venkart, were issued on 22 February.
So far, 58 of 251 people abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023 remain in captivity. The Israeli army has targeted the tunnel network, using air strikes, artillery bombing and ground forces to destroy tunnels and disrupt the operation of Hamas. Despite these efforts, the tunnel network lives in a “good functional status”, in which many areas are repaired.
