The Network of Tunnels in Gaza Complicates Prospects for an Israeli Ground Operation

As the specter of an intensified Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip looms amid an escalating conflict with Hamas, one of the most significant challenges confronting both Israeli forces and the 2.3 million Palestinian inhabitants of the enclave is an intricate underground tunnel system.

Built by the militant organization Hamas, this complex web of tunnels runs throughout the densely populated Gaza Strip. It serves as a hidden depot for militants, their missile stockpiles, and now over 200 hostages taken following an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

Neutralizing this subterranean network is essential if Israel aims to incapacitate Hamas. However, carrying out operations in densely populated zones and subterranean spaces could neutralize some of the Israeli military’s technological upper hand, thereby providing Hamas with tactical advantages on multiple fronts.

John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, likened the situation to “walking through a gauntlet of invisible threats.” Urban defenders, he noted, have the luxury of choosing the time and location of engagement, remaining hidden while retaining the ability to observe enemy movements.

During a recent night, the Israeli Air Force reported hitting 150 subterranean Hamas installations in the northern part of Gaza. These targeted airstrikes, which represent Israel’s most aggressive assault on the tunnels to date, were conducted in parallel with heightened ground activities.

Historical Context

Subterranean warfare is far from a modern development. Throughout history—from the Roman siege of ancient Greek city Ambracia to Ukrainian resistance in tunnels below Mariupol’s Azovstal Iron and Steel Works—tunnels have provided defensive advantages, making them challenging obstacles for invading armies.

In the Gaza Strip, this historical truism holds. After Israel and Egypt enforced a stringent blockade on Gaza in 2007 following Hamas’ takeover, the militant group ramped up tunnel construction to facilitate smuggling activities from Egypt. Despite later Egyptian efforts to neutralize these pathways, Hamas is now thought to maintain an expansive underground network throughout the territory.

Hamas’ political leader, Yehiyeh Sinwar, asserted in 2021 that the organization possesses a staggering 500 kilometers of tunnels. The Israeli military, aware of the tunneling activities since as early as 2001, has deployed specialized units, like the Samur or “Weasels,” to locate and destroy these underground structures.

Risks and Challenges

Fully eradicating Hamas necessitates clearing these tunnels, which can serve as launch pads for surprise attacks against advancing Israeli troops. Ariel Bernstein, a veteran of the 2014 conflict, described the disorienting and unpredictable nature of urban warfare in Gaza, particularly with regards to these tunnels.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed reservations about the forthcoming ground campaign, stating it would be a prolonged endeavor to dismantle the expansive tunnel network. Israel has already taken strategic measures such as halting all fuel supplies to Gaza, thereby potentially affecting the functioning of the tunnels.

Further Complexities

Notwithstanding these challenges, the situation is further complicated by the fact that Hamas is holding approximately 200 hostages, reportedly within these tunnels. This significantly complicates any Israeli military action, as the likelihood of collateral damage increases manifold.

Clearing tunnels with hostages confined inside will necessitate a meticulous and calibrated approach, relying heavily on technology and intelligence, states the Soufan Center, a New York-based security think tank.

Daphné Richemond-Barak, a professor at Israel’s Reichman University who has written extensively on underground warfare, warns of the multitude of risks involved. She emphasizes that despite the inherent dangers, these tunnels must be neutralized for Israel to accomplish its military objectives.

Thus, the labyrinthine tunnels of Gaza represent not just a military challenge for Israel, but also add layers of complexity to an already volatile and fraught conflict situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hamas Tunnels in Gaza

More about Hamas Tunnels in Gaza

• History of Tunnel Warfare
• Israeli Military Strategy: Challenges and Responses
• The Role of Hamas in the Israel-Gaza Conflict
• Tactical Advantages and Disadvantages of Tunnel Systems in Warfare
• The Use of Hostages in Conflict Zones
• The 2014 Israel-Gaza War: An Overview
• Underground Warfare: An Academic Perspective
• The Soufan Center: Security Briefings and Reports
• Israel’s Samur Unit: Specialists in Tunnel Operations