TEL AVIV, December 19. /TASS/. Since the beginning of the operation in the Gaza Strip, the IDF has discovered over 1,500 Hamas tunnels and underground passages, the IDF press office announced.

"Since the beginning of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip, IDF troops have revealed approximately 1,500 tunnels and underground passages belonging to Hamas. Most of these underground passages have been discovered under schools, hospitals, mosques, UN and civilian facilities," the press office said.

"Hamas uses civilian population as human shield, and this once again becomes apparent from the location of underground objects in the Gaza Strip," the press office noted.