Israel discovers evidence of hostages in Hamas tunnel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza

In the midst of intensified fighting in central Gaza, the Israeli military has announced the discovery of traces suggesting hostages were held in an underground tunnel in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Journalists were escorted to the site, concealed beneath a tin hut in a residential yard amidst the remnants of destroyed homes and streets. The tunnel, described as hot and humid with walls lined with electrical wiring, reportedly contained evidence, including DNA, indicating the presence of hostages, according to Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army’s chief spokesman.

While the military did not provide specific details on the findings or identify the alleged hostages, Hagari noted that they were held in the tunnel under challenging conditions. Notably, no information was disclosed regarding the current status of the individuals—whether they are alive or deceased. This revelation follows statements from Israeli hostages released during a ceasefire in November, who claimed to have been held in tunnels operated by Hamas.

Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, has become a focal point of Israel’s recent offensive against the Palestinian militant group. Military operations were ongoing in the city and surrounding urban refugee camps on Wednesday, highlighting the continued intensity of the conflict.

On the same day, an Israeli strike resulted in the collapse of a two-story building in the central city of Deir al-Balah, near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, claiming at least 20 lives according to hospital officials. Additionally, another strike in the city led to the death of six individuals, including four ambulance crew members, as reported by a medical aid group.

Against this backdrop, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East, engaging in discussions about a post-war plan for Gaza that includes concrete steps toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. In a conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Blinken addressed the need for reform within the Palestinian Authority governing Gaza once the conflict with Hamas concludes. However, obstacles to this plan arise, given the Israeli government’s strong opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state and the Palestinians in Gaza rejecting the legitimacy of the Western-backed Palestinian leadership driven away by Hamas in 2007.