A large void now occupies the space where rows of graves once stood in the Bani Suheila cemetery near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that a Hamas tunnel ran through the cemetery, leading to an attack on Israeli troops.
However, during a three-hour visit to the cemetery, IDF commanders failed to substantiate their claim. The military declined to show the tunnel shaft inside the cemetery, citing sensitive machinery and structural instability. The damage to the cemetery resulted in the destruction of dozens of graves.
The IDF provided drone footage of two tunnel entrances near the cemetery, neither of which was located within the cemetery grounds. While standing by their claims, the military’s press release contradicted some details provided during the visit. Despite international law considerations, the IDF insisted that the extensive damage to the cemetery was necessary to uncover the alleged tunnel.
CNN entered a tunnel near the Bani Suheila cemetery, finding a dark labyrinth with sections that included what the IDF described as a Hamas battalion commander’s office. The tunnel had electricity and telecommunications wiring installed by Hamas, although no lights were on during the visit.
On the way to embed with Israeli forces in Gaza, CNN observed more than two dozen detained Palestinian men, suspected of terrorist activity, blindfolded and barefoot. They were kneeling or sitting on the ground, hands tied behind their backs, guarded by Israeli soldiers. The IDF stated that these individuals were being transferred to Israel for further interrogation and insisted that detainees are treated in accordance with international law.
