• Source:JND
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The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday released visuals of a tunnel where the Palestinian militant movement Hamas held 20 hostages at different times in southern Gaza, media outlet CNN reported. The alleged tunnel is located in Khan Younis and has a length of 830 meters. 

As per the IDF, they found several traps, obstacles and explosives inside the tunnel. The Israeli army also claimed they killed several Hamas operatives upon entering the tunnel. 

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"This is where Hamas held hostages. IDF soldiers operated in a tunnel located at the heart of a civilian area in Khan Yunis that was used to hold about 20 hostages at different times. The tunnel was about 830 meters long and about 20 meters deep. We cannot and will not rest knowing innocent civilians are being held in compounds like this one. We will not stop operating until we bring the hostages home," IDF posted on X(formerly Twitter).

The IDF did not find any hostages in the tunnel but asserted over 20 persons were held in Hamas’ captivity inside the tunnel at different times. They ascertained the number of hostages through DNA evidence, the news outlet said. 

An unprecedented war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the latter, in a surprise attack, showered as many as 5,000 missiles in Israeli territory. The attack claimed over 1,400 lives, The Times of Israel reported. Moreover, the militants rampaged across Israeli cities and abducted over 250 civilians. 

Responding to the misadventure, Israel launched a massive counteroffensive in Gaza. The Palestinian enclave has been turned into rubble since the war began on October 7 last year. As per Palestinian health authorities, over 23,000 people have been killed so far. 

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Israel, however, estimates that 132 hostages from the October 7 attacks remain in Gaza -- 25 of whom are believed to be dead.