class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>
So far, Israel has attacked the Gaza Strip largely from the air. That should change now. On Wednesday, the army announced a ground offensive. On Thursday, the country announced that it would first attack the Hamas tunnels.
“Hamas has built a network of tunnels from Gaza City to Khan Yunis and Rafah over the past two decades since it took control of the Gaza Strip,” Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said in a video message.
The military views the Gaza Strip on two levels. The floor is “a layer for civilians”, the tunnel level is “intended only for Hamas and other terrorists so that they can continue to fire rockets at Israel, plan operations and infiltrate terrorists into Israel”. The Israeli army therefore plans to destroy the tunnels. Conricus threatens: “Our ground forces are preparing for the next phase of the war, which will come when the time is right. Whatever it is, if it belongs to Hamas, we will destroy it.”
Three types of tunnels
Since the 1990s, Hamas has been working on its highly complex network of tunnels, dug by tunnel workers – one of the highest-paying jobs in the Gaza Strip. Tunnel workers are revered as martyrs when they die on the job. The tunnels serve three important functions for Hamas.
1
Gun smuggling
The first excavations were used to secretly smuggle weapons and trade goods from Egypt to Gaza. They led from Rafah to the neighboring country. It is believed that there were around 2,500 such tunnels in the mid-2000s, reports Middle East website The Tower.
2
defense
Defensive tunnels were also dug in the Gaza Strip to serve as command centers and weapons depots. Many of these tunnels are located directly beneath Gaza City. They allow Hamas to move undetected and hide camps.
3
attack
Then there are the so-called “terror tunnels”. They are believed to smuggle Hamas fighters into Israel undetected to carry out attacks or capture hostages. In all tunnels, the entrances and exits are usually hidden between schools, mosques, hospitals and other civilian buildings, the Israeli military says.
Up to 70 meters deep
It is unclear exactly how many tunnels there are. However, experts assume that the total length is about 480 kilometers. It is also assumed that the tunnels are on average about one kilometer long and a maximum of 40 meters deep. Many tunnels are about one meter wide and two meters high. Some tunnels can even lock vehicles.
The deepest tunnel ever discovered was discovered in October 2020. It was located 70 meters underground and had alcoves in which ammunition or supplies could be stored. It is believed that Hamas has been working on the tunnel for years and wanted to use it as a terror tunnel. However, the tunnel was discovered several meters from the Israeli border – before it was completed.
Another tunnel was discovered in 2013. It was located 60 feet underground and 1.1 miles long. The tunnel led to the Israeli kibbutz Ein Hashlosha and was formed from approximately 25,000 concrete slabs. It had electricity and was stocked with food that would allow Hamas to survive for several months. Israel estimates that construction cost about $10 million.
“New strategy in the fight against the enemy”
According to media reports, Hamas has built about 1,300 tunnels since it came to power in 2007 at a cost of about 1.1 billion francs. A strategically important investment for the group, as member Yahya al-Sinwar once explained: “Today we are the ones invading the Israelis.” Hamas leader Ismail Haniyza also emphasized in 2014: “These tunnels will introduce a new strategy in the fight against the enemy.”
Although Israel has been trying to destroy the tunnels for years and has removed about 100 kilometers of tunnels in 2021, Hamas is not giving up on its network. When tunnels are destroyed, Hamas builds new ones. Hamas chief Khalid Maschal said a few years ago: “Given the balance of power that has shifted in favor of Israel, we had to be creative and find innovative ways. The tunnels were one of our innovations.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
