Underground warfare: Hamas tunnels in Gaza, a crucial target for Israel
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages, the underground tunnels dug by the Palestinian Islamist movement remain at the center of attention. Used for the passage of fighters, weapons and contraband products, these tunnels represent a real challenge for the Israeli army.
Nicknamed the “Gaza Metro” by Israeli troops, these tunnels are a major issue in the ongoing conflict. While some are already known and destroyed by the Israeli army, others remain secret, which complicates any ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
According to experts, these underground fights would give Hamas a tactical advantage. Indeed, the militants know perfectly well the network of tunnels they have created, which allows them to move around while avoiding Israeli strikes. Additionally, some of these tunnels could be booby-trapped, making the Israeli offensive even more dangerous.
However, Hamas’s use of tunnels can also backfire. Indeed, when the tunnels are discovered by the Israeli army, it is possible to close them and surround the people who are there. In this case, Israeli soldiers are not instructed to give quarter.
The Hamas tunnels were dug in response to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. They were initially used to smuggle goods and commodities from Egypt. Since then, they have become an essential element of the Palestinian movement’s combat strategy, notably enabling infiltrations into Israel during the 2014 campaign.
For the Israeli army, the destruction of these tunnels is a top priority. It has already destroyed tens of kilometers of this underground network, but Hamas continues to dig new tunnels. Israel has therefore developed methods to detect and destroy them, such as building an underground wall belt equipped with detection sensors.
The underground war playing out between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is an often overlooked aspect of the conflict. But these tunnels represent a very real threat to Israel, which must find innovative ways to neutralize them.