Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, January 20th, 2024

Good week. During the fighting in Khan Yunis, we located a tunnel where hostages were held. IDF soldiers identified the entrance of the tunnel based on precise intelligence in the house of a Hamas terrorist in Khan Yunis. The soldiers entered the tunnel where they encountered terrorists, engaging in a battle that ended with the elimination of the terrorists. The tunnel was rigged with explosives and blast doors designed to protect the terrorists and prevent the advancement in finding of our hostages. 

Of course, when we reached inside this tunnel, there were no hostages, but hostages were held there in the past. After walking about a kilometer in the tunnel, at a depth of about 20 meters underground, the soldiers found a central chamber where, according to testimonies of hostages who returned from Gaza, we understand that they spent most of their time. In this chamber, we found evidence that the hostages were held there, including drawings made by 5-year-old Amelia Aloni, along with other hostages. 

Further down the tunnel, we located five narrow prison cells, each with a toilet and mattress, and closed with bars. According to the testimonies we have, about 20 hostages were held in this tunnel at different times under harsh conditions without daylight, in dense air with little oxygen, and terrible humidity that makes breathing difficult. Some of them were released about fifty days ago, and some are still held in Gaza and may be under even harsher conditions, including very elderly people who need medication and help.

Yesterday, before we destroyed the tunnel, we documented the place and brought in journalists to show the world evidence that must not be forgotten - Hamas committed and continues to commit crimes against humanity, holding innocent people, children, women, men, some sick, very elderly people, in harsh and inhumane conditions. The return of the hostages is a supreme effort, and we are working in every way to bring them home. 

Our operational activity combines technology, special units, special means, and intelligence, intelligence that we are constantly searching for and refining. We do not strike places where we know or even assume that hostages are held. Parallel to the underground fighting, IDF soldiers continue to fight above ground. In the Khan Yunis area, we continue to dismantle Hamas' military framework. There are still terrorists there. IDF soldiers are fighting them and advancing in the strike.