The Israeli military announced on Sunday the discovery of a network of tunnels employed by members of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. In a video posted on their platform, the Israeli army accused Hamas of using these tunnels while preventing civilians from reaching safety in southern Gaza.
One of the tunnels used by Hamas fighters
According to the Israeli army, these tunnels have multiple entry points, and they were revealed during operations in northern Gaza. The military has been moving slowly in its ground offensive in Gaza, partly to keep the door open for potential negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages, according to military experts cited by Reuters.
While Hamas obstructs their civilians from getting to safety in southern Gaza, Hamas hides within their intricate network of terror tunnels.
IDF troops uncovered multiple access points during operational activity in Northern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/vovapYD4Xn
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 5, 2023
The decision to avoid direct entry into heavily built-up areas in Gaza serves the dual purpose of wearing down Hamas leadership through a protracted campaign while engaging fighters in open areas where they can be more easily neutralized.
The British newspaper, The Telegraph, reported last month that Israel was testing “sponge bombs” to combat Hamas tunnel networks beneath Gaza. These chemical bombs contain no explosives but are used to seal off tunnel openings to prevent fighters from emerging.
The Israeli military has not officially commented on the use of these “sponge bombs,” which create foam upon detonation, rapidly expanding and hardening. These bombs were observed in use by Israeli soldiers during training exercises in 2021 when the military simulated a tunnel system near the Gaza border.
It is believed that the tunnel network stretches hundreds of kilometers and is filled with traps, possibly serving as the location where Hamas holds hostages.
