WATCH: IDF Uncovers and Destroys Hamas Tunnel Just 5km from Israeli Railway
The IDF’s Givati Brigade, in collaboration with the Yahalom unit, destroyed a Hamas tunnel near the Ashkelon-Sderot rail line, eliminating a terror cell and uncovering weapons. Operation Gideon’s Chariots aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in northern Gaza, safeguarding Israel’s critical civilian infrastructure.
On August 1, 2025, troops from the IDF’s Givati Brigade, operating under the 162nd Division in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, successfully eliminated a Hamas terror cell hiding in a tunnel as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. The two-kilometer-long tunnel, located just five kilometers from the critical Ashkelon-Sderot railway line, contained living quarters, AK-47 rifles, and explosive devices, posing a direct threat to Israeli infrastructure. Working alongside the elite Yahalom unit, Givati soldiers neutralized the cell and dismantled the tunnel, which was part of a broader network used by Hamas for attacks, including the October 7, 2023, massacre that killed 1,200 and saw 251 abducted.
The IDF released footage showcasing the tunnel’s proximity to the rail line, a vital artery for southern Israel’s commuters, highlighting the ongoing security risks in the region. Since the operation’s start, Givati troops have eliminated multiple terrorists and destroyed significant terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground, including weapons caches and command posts. The operation aligns with Israel’s efforts to secure its borders, with 50 hostages still held in Gaza and recent Hamas attacks, such as a July 2025 attempted soldier abduction, intensifying military focus.
The tunnel’s discovery underscores Hamas’s persistent use of underground networks, with over 1,500 kilometers of tunnels mapped by the IDF since 2023, per military estimates. Social media on X praised the operation, with one user noting, “Givati’s precision strike just saved countless lives near Ashkelon!” The destruction of the tunnel prevents potential attacks on civilian infrastructure, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to neutralizing Hamas’s capabilities while protecting communities like Sderot, where rocket alerts remain frequent, with 12 reported in July 2025 alone.