Rare Tunnel Footage
The Israeli army’s Arabic spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, released video clips on July 23, 2025, that show Hamas fighters seated around tables in underground passages. The footage gives a glimpse of how some militants live beneath the streets of Gaza.
Plates of rice, meat and bread appear on the table as the operatives sit and eat in what looks like a hidden dining area. In contrast to images of hardship above ground, these scenes suggest a level of comfort that contradicts public accounts of hunger and need.
Contrast With Public Claims
Adraee said that Hamas leaders accuse Israel of blocking aid and starving the people of Gaza, but the videos tell a different story. He pointed out that the food on display did not come from any international aid convoys. In his view, the footage exposes a gap between the narrative that Hamas shares with the world and the reality that its fighters live in.
He argued that while residents are forced to scrape by, militants stash supplies underground. According to earlier statements by the Israeli military, large stores of food, water and cash were found in other tunnel hideouts.
Civilian Impact
Residents of Gaza have reported empty shelves in stores and long lines at aid distribution points. Doctors and aid workers say hospitals struggle to feed patients and families. Meanwhile, social media and news outlets relay images of cooking areas and tables filled with food in the tunnel network.
This split image adds fuel to an already tense situation. Some aid groups worry that supplies meant for civilians are diverted to armed groups. Others say that if proven, the tunnel stockpiles deepen the suffering of ordinary families who rely on outside help to survive.
Accusations of Misdirection
In his statement, Adraee urged Gaza residents not to trust the group’s public statements. He described Hamas fighters as people who hide underground out of fear of any fallout. He said they care little for civilians and that they use them as a shield. And he accused the group of spreading false claims about famine to gain sympathy. Also, he claimed the tunnels serve both as a refuge and a storehouse for militants, leaving civilians to face the results of conflict alone.
Personal Analysis
Seeing these recordings, I feel the divide between fighters and families grows wider. If the videos are real and unedited, they show a troubling priority shift within Hamas. They suggest that some leaders may choose to feed their own forces before helping those they claim to protect.
This could erode the trust of people in Gaza and in the international community. Aid agencies may need to find ways to ensure that food reaches those in need without being taken by armed groups. At the same time, this issue highlights the human cost of protracted conflict and the difficult choices that civilians face every day.
Sources: i24news.com
