 Israeli forces battling Hamas said they had uncovered an unusually large concrete and iron-girded tunnel, designed to carry carloads of militant fighters from Gaza right up to the border. Raising or disabling of what is believed to be hundreds of kilometers of underground passages and bunkers is among the aims of the offensive Israel launched after Hamas gunmen went on a killing and kidnapping spree in its southern towns and army bases on October 7. Among sites that Hamas overran in that attack was. The Ares border crossing between Gaza and Israel. Just 100 meters south of the checkpoint, concealed in a sand dune, the military showed reporters the exit point of what it said was a flagship Hamas project. The Israeli army on December 17 released videos said to be obtained from the cameras of Hamas militants showing the construction of the tunnel.