IDF Controls 63% of Gaza, Reveals Hamas Tunnel Near Israeli Border

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it controls 63% of the Gaza Strip, utilizing dozens of military bases within the enclave and along the border. This control was revealed to Channel 14 by army representatives. During a tour for journalists on September 23, 2026, military commanders showcased a newly discovered Hamas tunnel located just 750 meters from Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The tunnel, over 500 meters long, is part of an extensive underground network, described as a "city under a city."

IDF commanders warned that thousands of Hamas militants remain in Gaza, continuing recruitment and rearmament. The revealed tunnel, equipped with amenities like a toilet and air-conditioned rooms, is believed to have been used to hold hostages. The Southern Command chief stated that the IDF has destroyed approximately 60 kilometers of tunnels in Gaza, but eradicating the entire network could take years. He also noted that Hamas continues to use unexploded Israeli ordnance to create improvised explosive devices.

Channel 14 reported that Qatar provided at least $2 billion to Hamas structures in the decade preceding the October 7, 2023 attack, funding the "Gaza Metro" tunnel system. The October 7 attack resulted in over 1200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. The IDF commander emphasized that Hamas's tactic of taking hostages remains a key strategy, referencing the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.

On the same day as the tunnel reveal, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced via X that the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Hamas's head of financial affairs, Muhammad Abu Alwan, in Khan Younis. Katz vowed to continue targeting Hamas leadership, funding, and infrastructure. The IDF also showed journalists a military post overlooking former agricultural lands near Deir al-Balah, illustrating the demarcation line separating Israeli-controlled areas from those under Hamas influence.

A soldier at the post commented on Hamas's ongoing efforts to rebuild and recruit, noting that a 15-year-old in 2023 would now be old enough to be recruited. The discussion also touched upon upcoming elections in Israel and the US, with a soldier suggesting Hamas might use "strategic assets" if cornered. The IDF representative highlighted that many kibbutzim attacked on October 7, historically left-leaning communities that employed Gazan workers, were sources of intelligence for Hamas regarding security vulnerabilities.