Israeli Defense Forces Dismantle Five Kilometers of Strategic Hamas Tunnel Infrastructure Across Gaza Strip During Two-Week Offensive

The Israeli military neutralized 5km of tunnels in Rafah and Khan Younis, targeting gunmen hiding underground. Operations continue despite the conflict with Iran.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 10:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel.

Coordinated Engineering Operations Neutralize Subterranean Combat Corridors

The Israel Defense Forces have executed a series of high-intensity engineering missions over the past fourteen days, resulting in the systematic destruction of five kilometers of Hamas tunnel networks. This specialized campaign, according to military reports, utilized advanced seismic mapping and precision demolition to collapse sections of the "metro" system that remained functional despite previous sorties. By focusing on these three miles of reinforced passages, the IDF aims to permanently sever the logistical arteries that allow for the movement of munitions and personnel between disparate sectors of the Gaza Strip. The scale of these demolitions suggests a sustained commitment to eradicating the subterranean threat even as national attention shifts toward the escalating ballistic exchanges with Tehran.

Rafah Strongholds Targeted Amidst Fragile Regional Standoff

In the eastern sector of Rafah, Israeli forces identified and eliminated a significant tunnel hub that had served as a primary staging ground for insurgent activity. Military intelligence indicated that dozens of Hamas gunmen had utilized this specific underground facility as a concealed garrison, remaining holed up throughout recent periods of restricted surface combat. The demolition of this site in the strategic border town is a clear signal that the IDF considers subterranean hideouts as active military targets regardless of the prevailing diplomatic atmosphere. By removing this concealment, the Israeli military is effectively forcing combatants into the open, significantly degrading their ability to launch surprise ambushes or maintain a persistent presence in the southern buffer zones.

Khan Younis Networks Collapsed in Southern Gaza Manhunt

Further south, the military reported the successful neutralization of another major tunnel artery located in the Khan Younis district. This area, which has long been considered a center of gravity for Hamas’s regional leadership, contains some of the most sophisticated and deeply buried infrastructure in the territory. The destruction of this southern link is part of a broader tactical objective to isolate local units from their command structure. According to Emanuel Fabian, the IDF’s ability to pinpoint these specific coordinates reflects a refined intelligence-gathering...