BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip - The Israeli military has uncovered a significant tunnel shaft in Gaza, nearby what was once a bustling crossing into Israel, leading to concerns over the effectiveness of Israeli surveillance in detecting preparations by Hamas for their October 7th assault.

Situated just a few hundred yards from the heavily fortified Erez crossing and a nearby Israeli military base, the entryway to the tunnel has been found to stretch over 2.5 miles and links with an extensive tunnel network across Gaza. Israeli security officials confirm that the tunnel was large enough to accommodate vehicles, militants, and supplies, suggesting its use in the preparations for the deadly October 7th attack.

During the assault, militants broke through a section of the wall near the Erez crossing using a rocket-propelled grenade. They stormed the military base, resulting in the death of at least three soldiers and the kidnapping of several others into Gaza. This incident marked one of multiple breaches along Israel's security defenses, allowing militants to infiltrate Israeli territory and causing the loss of an estimated 1,200 lives, with approximately 240 individuals taken hostage.

The audacious attack initiated a devastating conflict that has raged for over 10 weeks, resulting in the loss of over 18,000 lives in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials. Israeli authorities assert that the destruction of Hamas' tunnel network is a crucial objective, even though a significant portion of these tunnels runs beneath schools, hospitals, and residential areas.

However, Israeli military, intelligence, and political officials have faced heavy criticism for their failure to anticipate the attack beforehand. Maj. Nir Dinar, a military spokesperson, explained that Israel's border defenses were designed to detect tunnels entering Israel, not those terminating within Gaza. He added that the tunnel's entrance, concealed beneath a garage, remained hidden from Israeli drones and satellite imagery.

While Israel's military was aware of Hamas' extensive tunnel network, they believed that the militants would be unable to execute large-scale attacks. Maj. Dinar commented, "It's no surprise that this was the Hamas strategy all along. The surprise is that they have succeeded, and the size of this tunnel was really shocking."

The Erez crossing, a heavily fortified facility responsible for processing the movement of Palestinians into Israel for work, medical care, and transit to Jordan, held significant symbolic value for Hamas. The crossing, which had been safeguarded by security cameras and military patrols, suffered extensive damage on October 7th and has yet to reopen.

The Israeli army's specialized "Yahalom" unit, focused on tunnel warfare, has been involved in the excavation of the discovered tunnel since its detection. The military disclosed that weapons were found within the tunnel during their operation.

While it remains unclear whether the tunnel was utilized during the October 7th attack, the army showcased the burned barracks of soldiers at the nearby base, allegedly set ablaze by the assailants. The remnants of the facility suggested substantial destruction, with charred walls and melted bunks. On Friday, the military announced the recovery of two soldiers' bodies who were present at the base during the attack.

Maj. Dinar, who visited the tunnel on Friday, revealed that it surpassed previous tunnels in Gaza, being twice the height and three times the width. The tunnel is equipped with ventilation, electricity, and descends to a depth of 55 yards at certain points. Construction and maintenance of the tunnel required significant financial resources, in addition to considerable amounts of fuel and manpower.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, emphasized the military's intention to demolish the tunnel and continue the pursuit of militants hiding in other tunnels. He remarked, "We will hunt them even if we need to go down to the tunnels. We also need to do it with attention to the rescue of our hostages and the understanding that maybe some of them are in the tunnels."

As investigations continue, questions persist regarding how Israeli surveillance failed to detect the preparations for the October 7th assault, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures along the Israeli-Gaza border.