Article: Hamas’ underground tunnels in Gaza: a major issue for Israel
For many years, the underground tunnels dug by Hamas in the Gaza Strip have become a major issue for Israel. Nicknamed “the Gaza Metro” by Israeli troops, these tunnels have been used by the Palestinian Islamist movement to transport fighters, weapons and contraband across the border with Egypt.
These tunnels pose a real challenge for the Israeli military, as they provide Hamas militants with the ability to move inconspicuously and launch attacks against Israeli forces. Some of these tunnels, which go 30 or 40 meters underground, were used as hiding places for rocket batteries.
For the Israeli army, destroying this underground network is a priority. Over the years, it has managed to destroy many of these tunnels through airstrikes, but some of them remain difficult to locate and neutralize. Hamas, for its part, knows the route of these tunnels perfectly and could trap them to hinder the advance of Israeli forces in the event of a ground assault.
Underground fighting represents a major tactical challenge for Israeli forces. Indeed, fighting in a restricted and confined environment like a tunnel offers a definite advantage to defenders, who know the terrain perfectly. Losses could be numerous and the duration of operations very long.
Faced with this threat, Israel has implemented different strategies to counter Hamas tunnels. Advanced technologies, such as robots, are used to facilitate assault operations and reduce casualties. Additionally, surveillance and detection systems are being set up along the border with Gaza to identify tunneling activities and prevent attacks.
Finally, Israel has also developed an underground wall belt equipped with sensors to detect any drilling activity and prevent new tunnels from forming. This wall belt marks the borders with the Gaza Strip in depth, in order to guarantee the security of the territory.
Despite all these efforts, the threat posed by Hamas tunnels remains very real for Israel. The underground war between the two parties continues, with the security and stability of the region at stake.