Inside Gaza’s Tunnels: Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
Gaza City, Gaza Strip — Deep underground, beyond the sight of international monitors and humanitarian groups, Hamas’ vast network of tunnels became the hidden prisons for dozens of Israeli hostages. Survivors like Tal Shoham are now revealing the horrors they faced in these dark, suffocating spaces.
“We lived with a hole in the ground as our toilet. The air was stale. We barely had food or light. It was a place where death felt closer than life,” Shoham said after his release.
The Tunnels: A Hidden World of Misery
The tunnel system, some stretching miles beneath Gaza, was not only used for smuggling and military purposes — it also became a brutal holding facility. Hostages were kept underground for months, chained or confined in tiny rooms with almost no sanitation.
According to survivors’ testimonies, many were moved into tunnels after Israeli rescue operations freed hostages from above-ground apartments in early 2024. Hamas intensified its reliance on underground captivity, believing it provided better protection from Israeli airstrikes.
Medical conditions inside were catastrophic. Infections spread quickly. Simple illnesses turned life-threatening without access to basic care. Shoham himself suffered a serious leg infection that left him unable to walk for weeks.
Psychological Warfare Below Ground
Beyond physical suffering, the psychological torment was relentless. Guards played games with captives’ minds — offering false promises of release or threatening immediate execution. Isolation, darkness, and fear were constant weapons.
“The only thing I had left was my mind, and I fought to protect it every day,” Shoham recalled, using mindfulness techniques to survive the mental onslaught.
A Humanitarian Disaster Unseen by the World
International organizations have struggled to document what happens in Gaza’s tunnels. Without consistent access, the suffering endured by captives often remained hidden until survivors could tell their stories.
Activists and politicians are now urging for renewed efforts to both rescue remaining hostages and dismantle the human rights violations occurring underground.
Related Articles:
- Freed Israeli Hostage Tal Shoham Speaks Out After 505 Days
- Hope Amid War: Families Reunited After Hostage Releases
- Mental Health in War: Coping Strategies
Stay Connected:
🌍 Chesed Without Borders: Global Kindness Movement
Get quick alerts about urgent Jewish donation campaigns, success stories, and community needs.
Be part of the global kindness movement! 🌍🕊️
👉 Join Chesed Without Borders Here
