The Israeli Army has embarked on the challenging task of eradicating Hamas by targeting the extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza.
This phase of the operation involves the use of advanced technology, including drones, combat robots, and attack dogs, to rescue hostages and root out terrorists hiding underground. One such hostage is Emily Hand, an Irish-Israeli girl who recently celebrated her 9th birthday in the terror tunnels controlled by Hamas.
The plight of Emily and her family is unimaginable. As the Israeli Army intensifies its assault on the Hamas nerve center, which is concealed beneath civilian buildings like al-Shifa Hospital, the rescue of hostages like Emily is of paramount importance. Specialist units are employing modern technology and honing their tunnel warfare skills to navigate the intricate labyrinth of tunnels known as the "Gaza Metro," which Hamas has constructed with funding from Western sources since 2005.
Rather than simply flooding the tunnel complex with saltwater or resorting to the use of poison gas, as Arab dictators might do, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for grueling underground tunnel warfare. This type of warfare is even more challenging than the urban combat the IDF has faced in Gaza City. The objective is to save hostages like Emily and dismantle the Hamas infrastructure.
According to Bloomberg, the IDF has deployed a range of technologies to detect and destroy the underground complexes, including those near al-Shifa Hospital. Surveillance drones are used to identify hidden structures, while warplanes are equipped with bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate hardened structures and reach deep underground. On the ground, bulldozers clear suspected areas above the subterranean network, and attack dogs, unmanned vehicles, and robots assist in exploring the underground terrain.
One notable addition to the IDF's arsenal is the use of a new weapon called the "sponge bomb." This chemical grenade does not contain explosives but rapidly expands and solidifies foam to seal off tunnel entrances. This innovative approach helps prevent ambushes as soldiers advance into the tunnel network, effectively blocking off openings that Hamas could exploit for attacks.
Contrary to claims made by pro-Hamas media, the IDF has clarified that the evacuation of Shifa Hospital was requested by hospital officials themselves. The IDF spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated that the evacuation was carried out in response to the hospital's management request. The IDF also provided food, water, and a secure passage for civilians within the hospital complex. Hagari outlined the four main objectives of the IDF's operation at Shifa Hospital, which include gathering information on the hostages, locating weapons and command and control rooms, identifying terrorists within the hospital complex, and making significant efforts to uncover and destroy the underground areas beneath the hospital.
The IDF's efforts have yielded results. Soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade, along with the Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, and the Israeli Air Force, have located approximately 35 tunnel shafts and a significant number of weapons. They have also eliminated terrorists in the Sheikh Ijlin and Rimal areas of Gaza, as reported by Arutz Sheva.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, an Israeli Army spokesman, shared footage from inside a Hamas terror tunnel located beneath Al-Shifa Hospital. The video showcased an underground bunk used by terrorists, filled with AK-47s and magazines. Hecht praised the professionalism of the Air Force elite special forces team 'Shaldag' (Kingfisher), which has been engaged in combat with Hamas since the October 7th terror massacre. The team has successfully eliminated terrorists at locations such as the Al Be'eri kibbutz, where some of the most heinous terrorist war crimes have taken place.
The IDF has been preparing for this phase of the operation for years. Specialized units such as the Oketz (Sting) K-9 units and Yahalom (Diamond) combat engineers have undergone extensive training in tunnel warfare. The Yahalom combat engineers' Samur (Weasel) unit specializes in breaching, entering, demining, and destroying terror tunnels. It is believed that the Hamas tunnels in Gaza extend up to 70 meters underground.
Once a tunnel is breached, the IDF may deploy drones and IRIS "throwbots" equipped with specialized sensors to detect terrorists, hostages, and materials. These robots can identify and detonate booby traps, clearing the way for the Weasel engineers who have been trained and desensitized to the conditions of tunnel warfare. They coordinate their efforts with other IDF Special Forces units such as Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13.
The IDF's engineering corps has established tunnel reconnaissance units equipped with ground and aerial sensors, ground-penetrating radar, and special drilling systems to locate the tunnels. Additionally, they have been equipped with special vision-enhancing equipment to enable visibility underground. Standard-issue night vision goggles require some ambient light to function effectively, but in the absence of natural light in underground tunnels, troops rely on thermal technology to "see" in complete darkness. Furthermore, new radios designed for use in extreme underground conditions have been developed.
According to John Spencer, a former US major who leads Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, combat in subterranean environments is more akin to underwater warfare than traditional building-based warfare. Specialized tools and equipment are required for tasks such as visibility, respiration, navigation, mapping, communication, and deploying lethal measures in subterranean settings.
The IDF's efforts to eradicate Hamas and rescue hostages like Emily Hand are a testament to their determination and commitment to the safety and security of their citizens. The use of advanced technology, specialized units, and innovative tactics demonstrates their preparedness for the challenges posed by the extensive tunnel network constructed by Hamas. As the operation continues, the IDF remains focused on achieving its objectives and restoring peace to the region.
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