Gaza: The Israel Defence Forces confirmed on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that its engineering units destroyed a major offensive tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The underground structure, measuring approximately 800 metres in length, was located east of the “Yellow Line”—the de facto ceasefire boundary established during the U.S.-brokered truce in October 2025. The demolition was carried out by combat engineers from the elite Yahalom unit after a discovery operation in the border region. Inside the tunnel, soldiers uncovered extensive military infrastructure, suggesting it was being maintained for active operations despite the ongoing, albeit fragile, ceasefire.
Investigations within the tunnel revealed a significant stockpile of weaponry, including tactical vests, military equipment, and a rocket belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The tunnel featured reinforced sleeping quarters, indicating it was designed for long-term habitation by militants. Its strategic location was particularly concerning for the IDF, as it crossed into Israeli-controlled territory east of the Yellow Line, posing what officials described as an “immediate threat” to residents in the western Negev.
The discovery comes amid rising tensions regarding the “Yellow Line,” a temporary demarcation line that currently isolates over 55 per cent of the Gaza Strip under Israeli military control. While the line was intended to be a temporary measure following the 2025 truce, recent reports suggest it has become a heavily fortified zone. The IDF has maintained that its operations east of this line are strictly aimed at dismantling “terror infrastructure” that violates existing security agreements. This operation is part of a broader engineering effort by the IDF Southern Command to secure the perimeter and clear underground routes that threaten border safety.
