Journalists were recently granted rare access to one of the largest underground tunnel networks in southern Gaza, revealing the harrowing conditions where hostages were held and Hamas operatives hid. The tunnels, stretching for several kilometers beneath dense residential areas, have been central to the ongoing conflict, with Israeli forces continuing operations to uncover and destroy them. The labyrinthine passages have witnessed unimaginable suffering, including deprivation, abuse, and the concealment of hostages' bodies, such as that of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, whose remains were only recently recovered after more than a decade.

Despite a ceasefire framework, fighting persists, and Gaza's civilians continue to suffer from bombings, displacement, and dire living conditions. The future governance of Gaza remains uncertain, especially as international efforts to establish an interim authority face setbacks. As Israel seeks the return of its final hostages and the complete dismantling of the tunnel network, the enduring trauma and devastation of the conflict are palpable both above and below ground.