Israel – Hamas war: in Gaza, the hell of the tunnels – L’Express

“Such a network of tunnels required a lot of human and financial investment. Hamas built it for strategic reasons, because the tunnels reduce the original asymmetry between a sophisticated army, with significant technological means, and a terrorist group which, a priori, has less military capabilities. Underground, everything is invisible – and therefore unpredictable and uncontrollable.

The intelligence services are blinded. Those of Israel are at the forefront, but it is difficult for them to know the extent of Hamas’s arsenal, nor to obtain information on the operations planned there. This underground threat increases the risks posed by the urban warfare faced by Israeli forces. The challenge is therefore twofold for them, while Hamas has placed its military bases, its weapons and its command centers in the middle of the civilian population.

“Israeli forces must protect Palestinian civilians from fighting, but they also have obligations to their own civilians in Hamas’ gigantic underground military base. Hamas has always operated with human shields, which constitutes a war crime. To prevent the bombing of a military asset, hidden for example in a building, Hamas does not hesitate to place innocent people on its roof. The use of hostages is part of this logic: they are scattered throughout this immense network, so that Israel is reluctant to destroy certain targets.

The risk is very high, because Hamas has prepared and benefited from the experience accumulated by the Islamic State in its underground wars in Syria and Iraq. There could be unpleasant surprises, with traps including improvised explosive devices. The soldiers’ entry into the tunnels could turn into a suicide mission. This is an unprecedented situation.”

“For a long time, Israel viewed these tunnels as a tactical problem, a method Hamas used to carry out covert operations and attack, but not necessarily as a strategic threat. This was at the time of Operation Border protector’ in 2014 that Israel became fully aware of the danger posed by these tunnels. They are of two types. First, there are the cross-border tunnels, which have enabled attacks by infiltration into Israeli territory, with the objective to kill civilians and soldiers. There are, also, those dug inside Gaza, with attempts to kidnap soldiers. A real underground war.”

“Israel has basic training in place so that all its soldiers know how to react to the discovery of a tunnel – including knowing if there are multiple entrances, then calling for reinforcements. It has created elite units that have followed specific training in fake tunnels and have adequate equipment, as well as fighting dogs. It has also developed robots capable of going underground, climbing stairs, ladders and moving on damp earth. “

“Israel has improved its capabilities and has mobile and digital equipment, but detection remains extremely complicated. In 2018, despite very efficient machines, it took six weeks to find six tunnels dug by Hezbollah on its northern border. Destruction is most commonly accomplished by aerial attack. In the past, Israeli forces have also used an emulsion capable of causing a strong explosion, but other methods have been developed. There is the possibility of entering the tunnel and detonate charges, which can be attached to a robot. The choice of method depends on the nature of the tunnel.”