Israeli Forces Discover Hamas Tunnel Beneath Hospital in Gaza, Recover Bodies of Militant Leaders
Israeli military operation uncovers significant Hamas infrastructure and leads to the retrieval of Mohammed Sinwar's body.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported on June 8, 2025, the discovery of a Hamas tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, which they allege was used as a command and control center by the militant group.
During a targeted operation last month, Israeli forces recovered the body of Mohammed Sinwar, identified as Hamas' military chief, along with the body of Mohammad Shabana, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, and several other militants whose identities are currently under investigation.
IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin provided a tour of the tunnel to a selected group of foreign journalists, emphasizing that Hamas had employed civilian infrastructures, such as hospitals, for military purposes.
He stated that the tunnel included a compound with several rooms, one of which contained the body of Sinwar, for which DNA evidence confirmed his identity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced Sinwar's death, but the IDF's recent findings affirm the confirmation.
Sinwar was the sibling of Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of Hamas, who orchestrated the October 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in significant casualties.
Shabana was noted for his pivotal role in constructing the tunnel networks in southern Gaza, utilized for strategic military operations, including cross-border raids.
The area surrounding Khan Younis exhibits extensive damage, with numerous structures in ruins and debris lining the streets.
The Israeli military has conducted operations against various hospitals during the ongoing conflict, asserting that Hamas utilizes them as shields and operational bases, a claim that Hamas has consistently denied.
While the IDF has provided some evidence supporting its allegations, certain claims remain unverified.
According to Defrin, careful planning was undertaken to minimize damage to the European Hospital during the recent operation.
Observations revealed a trench leading from the hospital's Emergency Room entrance, descending into a narrow tunnel purportedly utilized by Hamas militants.
In addition to the bodies, Israeli forces recovered substantial stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, cash, and intelligence documents from the site.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has reportedly resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by local health authorities, with the United Nations warning of an escalating famine risk affecting the majority of the 2.3 million residents in the region.
During a targeted operation last month, Israeli forces recovered the body of Mohammed Sinwar, identified as Hamas' military chief, along with the body of Mohammad Shabana, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, and several other militants whose identities are currently under investigation.
IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin provided a tour of the tunnel to a selected group of foreign journalists, emphasizing that Hamas had employed civilian infrastructures, such as hospitals, for military purposes.
He stated that the tunnel included a compound with several rooms, one of which contained the body of Sinwar, for which DNA evidence confirmed his identity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced Sinwar's death, but the IDF's recent findings affirm the confirmation.
Sinwar was the sibling of Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of Hamas, who orchestrated the October 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in significant casualties.
Shabana was noted for his pivotal role in constructing the tunnel networks in southern Gaza, utilized for strategic military operations, including cross-border raids.
The area surrounding Khan Younis exhibits extensive damage, with numerous structures in ruins and debris lining the streets.
The Israeli military has conducted operations against various hospitals during the ongoing conflict, asserting that Hamas utilizes them as shields and operational bases, a claim that Hamas has consistently denied.
While the IDF has provided some evidence supporting its allegations, certain claims remain unverified.
According to Defrin, careful planning was undertaken to minimize damage to the European Hospital during the recent operation.
Observations revealed a trench leading from the hospital's Emergency Room entrance, descending into a narrow tunnel purportedly utilized by Hamas militants.
In addition to the bodies, Israeli forces recovered substantial stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, cash, and intelligence documents from the site.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has reportedly resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by local health authorities, with the United Nations warning of an escalating famine risk affecting the majority of the 2.3 million residents in the region.
