Israel Foils Hamas Tunnel Under UN Compound, U.S. Condemns Antisemitism
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have uncovered a massive Hamas tunnel stretching 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) under a United Nations compound in Rafah, reports indicate. This tunnel, which is 25 meters deep and includes 80 rooms for command, weapons storage, and shelter, is described as a significant strategic discovery. The IDF says its dismantling is a critical blow to Hamas’s extensive network of underground operations. The tunnel reportedly housed Lt. Hadar Goldin, a soldier who was taken captive during the conflict. This discovery is part of a broader offensive by Israel against Hamas’s infrastructure, which has included numerous tunnel systems, many of which were previously hidden beneath civilian areas.
In a related development, the FBI has been monitoring the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for years, with restrictions on non-investigative contacts dating back to 2008 due to evidence linking CAIR leaders to Hamas. Texas recently designated the group as a terror organization, prompting renewed discussions in Congress about potential actions against Islamist networks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has taken a strong stance against antisemitism, advocating for a universal rejection of it and stressing its importance to U.S.-Israel relations. He has also highlighted the need for unity within the Republican Party, especially as some members like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie have distanced themselves from traditional pro-Israel positions.
Meanwhile, Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S. Israel Education Association, has called for Christians to support Israel amid rising antisemitism, framing it as an attack on Christian identity itself.
These developments underscore the interconnected nature of regional security and domestic political dynamics in the U.S. as tensions over antisemitism and counterterrorism continue to shape the national discourse.