Shillong, October 25: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) face a significant challenge as they plan a major ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
As per IANS, the underground tunnel network is emerging as a major source of support for the Hamas militant group, as highlighted by 85-year-old former hostage Yocheved Lifshitz.
The IDF’s assessment reveals that Hamas has an extensive tunnel network consisting of approximately 1,300 tunnels covering a distance of 500 kilometers. This network is one of the largest of its kind globally, presenting a substantial challenge for the IDF.
Studies indicate that these tunnels are only 2 meters wide and 2 meters high, and it’s believed that Hamas is using them to house hostages and store weapons and supplies.
Originally, these tunnels were constructed for smuggling goods from Egypt, but with increased surveillance, especially from aerial sources, Hamas adapted them for concealing its operatives and leaders.
The IDF possesses “bunker buster bombs” capable of destroying these underground tunnels. However, due to the high population density in the Gaza Strip, using these bombs without affecting civilians is a complex task.
Despite these challenges, the Israeli military is well-trained in underground warfare and is considered one of the most capable forces globally in this form of warfare. Special units trained in simulated tunnels and the use of tunnel-specific sensors are in place. Additionally, the IDF utilizes robots that can be deployed inside the tunnels to detect human presence and respond accordingly.
