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IDF Demolishes Underground Hamas Weapons Manufacturing Plant in Central Gaza
By: Fern Sidman
In a significant operational success, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently located and demolished an underground Hamas weapons manufacturing plant in the central Gaza Strip, according to an official military statement. This targeted operation dealt a substantial blow to Hamas’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities, disrupting one of the group’s key assets for weapons production.
WATCH 🚨
The IDF demolished an underground Hamxs weapons manufacturing plant in central Gaza, following precise intelligence. The Yahalom unit recovered lathes, machines for weapons production, documents, and computers before destroying the tunnel, delivering a significant blow… pic.twitter.com/jQsZB5LsUd
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 4, 2025
The elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, operating under the 99th Division, spearheaded the mission. According to published reports, the success of the operation was made possible by precise intelligence that pinpointed the tunnel’s location and its purpose as a weapons manufacturing facility.
The IDF emphasized that intelligence gathering and analysis played a critical role, enabling forces to carry out the mission efficiently and with minimal risk. Once troops identified and secured the tunnel, they conducted a thorough examination to assess the extent of its infrastructure and capabilities.
According to the IDF statement, the tunnel was a sophisticated facility equipped with industrial lathes and specialized machinery used for processing and cutting materials required to manufacture weapons. These tools are essential for producing rockets, mortars, and other armaments frequently used by Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
Yahalom Unit and 99th Division Troops Dismantled an Underground Weapons Manufacturing Site in Central Gaza Strip
Yahalom Unit soldiers, under the command of the 99th division and acting on precise intelligence, located and dismantled an underground tunnel route containing a… pic.twitter.com/jm37kwY5oT
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) January 4, 2025
In addition to machinery, IDF troops discovered critical intelligence assets within the tunnel, including documents detailing manufacturing processes and operational plans, as well ascomputers and portable hard drives containing sensitive information likely related to production schedules, technical designs, and supply chains. Reports indicated that the seizure of these materials is expected to provide valuable insights into Hamas’s broader weapons production network and logistical operations.
Before demolishing the tunnel, IDF combat engineers meticulously mapped its layout, ensuring every section was accounted for and potential hazards were neutralized. This step was crucial to prevent secondary risks, such as accidental detonations or structural collapses.
Once the tunnel was fully mapped and all intelligence assets were secured, Yahalom engineers carried out a controlled demolition, rendering the underground facility inoperable.
The IDF described the demolition as “another blow to the attempts of the Hamas terror organization to recover.”
The destruction of this weapons manufacturing plant represents more than just the physical loss of infrastructure for Hamas. As stated by the IDF, such facilities are crucial nodes in Hamas’s military production network, and their elimination significantly hampers the group’s ability to replenish its stockpile of rockets and other weapons.
Furthermore, the confiscation of digital and physical intelligence assets provides the IDF with opportunities to disrupt additional nodes in Hamas’s network, track supply routes, and preempt future production efforts.
Underground tunnel networks have long been a strategic asset for Hamas, serving as conduits for smuggling, weapons production, and even combat operations. These tunnels are often heavily fortified, strategically located, and deliberately concealed to evade detection by surveillance systems.
The success of this operation highlights the IDF’s evolving capabilities in subterranean warfare, particularly the expertise of the Yahalom combat engineering unit, which specializes in tunnel detection and demolition.
This latest operation aligns with the IDF’s broader strategic objective of weakening Hamas’s military infrastructure and limiting its ability to conduct attacks against Israel. By systematically targeting weapons manufacturing facilities, smuggling routes, and command centers, the IDF aims to disrupt Hamas’s operational capabilities and strategic plans.
The IDF has reiterated its commitment to maintaining operational pressure on Hamas and preventing the group from reconstituting its military assets.
While the long-term implications remain to be seen, this success shines a proverbial spotlight on the IDF’s commitment to safeguarding Israeli civilians and preventing Hamas from regaining its military strength. As tensions in the region persist, such operations will continue to play a central role in Israel’s security strategy.
