As the Israeli army expands its reach in northern Gaza, Hamas tunnels pose major challenges for its troops. The Israeli military has been pounding the besieged strip for more than a month, but eliminating the underground network of tunnels built by the Palestinian armed group Hamas presents a far greater challenge. Experts suggest that it would be a slow and grinding task to completely destroy the tunnels, with digging likely to continue as the Israeli army tries to eliminate them.
The extent of the tunnel system, known as the “metro” by some Israeli officials, is not fully known, but it is believed to stretch for hundreds of kilometers with a depth ranging from 15 to 60 meters. Some tunnels are equipped with necessary facilities such as oxygen tanks, water pipes, and electricity lights. Exclusive video footage from 2021 shows concrete-reinforced corridors leading to an underground office with a functioning phone line and rooms storing weapons. The core of the tunnel system is where command centers, weapons storages, missiles, and even Israeli captives taken by Hamas are believed to be located.
Tunnels provide Hamas fighters with the ability to conduct surprise attacks and move quickly across the strip without detection. This underground network has been a major focus for Hamas over the past 17 years, allowing them to maintain resilience and conduct armed resistance. It presents a challenge for the Israeli military, which has a technological advantage above ground but struggles when it comes to underground warfare.
The tunnel system in Gaza has evolved over the years, starting as passages used for smuggling goods from Egypt in the 1980s. The soil in the coastal strip, made of sand and clay, is easy to dig, facilitating the expansion of the tunnel network. After Hamas gained control of the strip in 2007, tunnels became the lifeline for breaking the Israeli blockade and smuggling essential goods, weapons, and even animals into Gaza.
Since October 7, when Hamas fighters broke into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people, the Israeli army has responded with air strikes in Gaza. The military argues that its targets include underground tunnels where Hamas fighters operate, but human rights groups have accused Israel of not taking sufficient precautions to avoid civilian deaths and violating international law.
Experts point out that air strikes alone cannot destroy the core of the tunnels, as they do not reach deep enough. The Israeli army would need to gain control of all entrances and exits, which is a lengthy and dangerous operation. Even after an area is cleared, hidden tunnel shafts could still pose a threat. Other techniques, such as pouring wet cement or sewage into tunnels, have been used in the past but may not be effective if tunnels have multiple entrances and exits.
Entering the tunnels presents its own challenges, including scarce oxygen, limited visibility, and vulnerability to ambushes and booby traps. The Israeli army is likely to employ a combined approach, using raids, bombings, and demolition operations to collapse central tunnels. However, these operations require time, which Israel may be running out of as pressure mounts for a ceasefire due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Overall, the task of eliminating Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza is a complex and dangerous endeavor for the Israeli army. The extensive tunnel network offers Hamas a strategic advantage, making it difficult for the Israeli military to completely eradicate their presence. As the conflict continues, the international community calls on both sides to find a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
