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An animated infographic illustrating the main tunnel route located in eastern Rafah
(IDF)
In recent weeks, the 401st Brigade Combat Team, in cooperation with the Yahalom Unit and Unit 504, an intelligence unit, have been operating under Division 162 in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip to locate terrorist infrastructure and tunnel routes, the Israel Defense Forces announced.
So far, during the soldiers' operations, many terrorists have been eliminated, and dozens of Hamas terrorist infrastructure sites have been destroyed, according to the IDF.
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401st Brigade Combat Team during the operation
(IDF)
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IDF soldiers operating in Rafah, where they uncovered a 1.5 kilometer-long tunnel
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Following intelligence, the soldiers reached a tunnel shaft located 100 meters from the Rafah Crossing. The tunnel shaft led to an underground tunnel route used by the Hamas terrorist organization to carry out attacks and operations against IDF troops.
The tunnel branches into several different routes and at various depths. The entire route is 1.5 kilometers long and contains several blast doors.
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Commanding Officer of the 401st Brigade, COL Benny Aharon
(IDF)
During the operation, large quantities of weapons, including short-range anti-tank missiles, AK-47s, explosives and grenades were found inside. The tunnel's route included a hideout, toilets and additional rooms. All the routes and compounds were destroyed, according to the IDF.
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rocket launchers that were found by the 401st Brigade Combat Team on the Philadelphi Corridor
(IDF)