Israel Hamas war live updates: Vast tunnels uncovered under Gaza

The Israel-Hamas war in 2023 led to significant developments, including the uncovering of vast tunnels under Gaza[\[1\]](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/21/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news). The Israeli military reported that it had "secured control" of an area in the center of Gaza City, including Palestine Square, where Hamas government offices are located[\[1\]](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/21/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news). These tunnels served as a crucial part of Hamas' military infrastructure, allowing for the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies[\[2\]](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765).

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), they have discovered approximately 1,500 tunnel shafts and underground passages in Gaza since the start of the war[\[2\]](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765). The IDF has consistently accused Hamas of using civilians in Gaza as human shields, and most of the discovered tunnels were found beneath schools, hospitals, mosques, United Nations facilities, and civilian institutions[\[2\]](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765). This strategy of embedding militant infrastructure within residential areas posed significant challenges for the Israeli military in targeting these tunnels without causing excessive civilian casualties[\[3\]](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-20-2023-fdeafca68baf8c58c22d0dc65d356dbe).

The tunnels played a vital role for Hamas, allowing them to launch surprise attacks on Israeli troops and civilians[\[2\]](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765). These underground passages provided safe routes for Hamas militants to infiltrate Israeli territory, conduct kidnappings, and carry out acts of terrorism[\[1\]](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/21/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news).

The discovery of these tunnels underscores the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the complex nature of warfare in highly populated areas. It highlights the need for sophisticated intelligence and military operations to neutralize such threats while minimizing harm to civilians[\[3\]](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-20-2023-fdeafca68baf8c58c22d0dc65d356dbe).

Overall, the uncovering of vast tunnels under Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war in 2023 has revealed the extent to which these underground networks serve as crucial assets for militant organizations like Hamas[\[2\]](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765). It also underscores the challenges faced by Israel in targeting these tunnels without causing collateral damage to civilian infrastructure and lives[\[3\]](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-20-2023-fdeafca68baf8c58c22d0dc65d356dbe).

#### Sources:

1. [The New York Times - Israel-Hamas War: Latest Updates](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/21/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news)

2. [ABC News - Israel-Gaza live updates: Death toll in Gaza surpasses 20,000](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-hamas-war/1500-tunnel-shafts-underground-passages-found-in-gaza-since-start-of-war-105786705?id=105728765)

3. [AP News - Live updates | Israel bombs Gaza and unveils tunnel complex as hostage](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-12-20-2023-fdeafca68baf8c58c22d0dc65d356dbe)