The tunnel stretched a total length of around a kilometre and a half, he said.
In general, tunnels between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula are used to transport commercial goods and, in some cases, weaponry into the Strip, as a way to circumvent the Israeli and Egyptian blockade.
United Nations trucks carrying building materials for projects funded by UNRWA arrive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip after crossing the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing on December 10, 2013.
The army said that it views Hamas as responsible for what happens in Gaza.
The reports of the attack were then confirmed by the Israeli army as well.
Conricus said the tunnel destroyed Saturday was dug by key operatives of Hamas and was 1.5 km long (about one mile), penetrating 80 metres (260 feet) under the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Israel and into Egypt. The IDF said it also extended into Egyptian territory.
Last week, the IDF struck what many assumed to be a tunnel in the Gaza Strip, following a series of mortar attacks. It was completely destroyed by the strike.
According to the military, the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing was a necessary security measure for those in the crossing area and while the consequences of the closure would be felt in the Strip, "the Hamas terror organization repeatedly chooses to harm the welfare of Gaza residents". "Hamas needs to understand that we will not allow these offensives, and that we will respond with even greater might".
The army also denied the claim made by Hamas late Saturday night that the Israeli jets had targeted a smuggling tunnel between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, TOI reported.
Israel has been constructing a sensor-equipped underground wall along the 60-km Gaza border, aiming to complete the $1.1 billion project by mid-2019. "There are people who say that the IDF attacks sand dunes - this isn't true".
He said he was not aware of any casualties from the destruction of the tunnel, which was still being built.
Unrest has included rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with Israel's military responding with air strikes. Earlier Motzoei Shabbos, the IDF closed the Kerem Shalom crossing, and it is to remain closed throughout Sunday.
According to the IDF, rioters in four different locations along the Israel-Gaza border burnt tires and hurled rocks at Israeli security forces.
