New Assessment Shocks Israeli Officials
What it is about:
An Israeli report has significantly adjusted the estimated length of Hamas’s tunnel network in the Gaza Strip, stating it measures between 350 to 450 miles. This finding is considerably higher than previous evaluations and underlines the vastness of the underground system in an area measuring just 140 square miles. Israeli defense forces face ongoing challenges in their efforts to locate and decommission these subterranean passages amid intense conflict.
Why it matters:
The expanding estimation of Hamas’s tunnel network demonstrates the extensive investments and efforts poured into the construction of this complex web of underground infrastructure with purposes ranging from military operations to weapons manufacturing.
By the numbers:
The Israeli intelligence discloses about 5,700 entrances to these hidden tunnels, particularly concentrated below urban regions. Identifying and neutralizing them is pivotal for Israel’s national security, reflecting a potential time-consuming and complex challenge to locate, safely disarm, and then destruct.
The effort to dismantle:
Destruction becomes feasible as the IDF advances within Gaza, where they have collected intelligence more efficiently, revealing the elaborate “triangle system” used for locating tunnels
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The scale of construction: Hamas is believed to have used more than 6,000 tons of concrete and 1,800 tons of steel. Aside from showcasing the group’s resource allocations, it exemplifies the escalated scale at which Hamas has built this subterranean fortress.
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The find and thehouse
Additionally, new insights into the variety and quality of tunnels display the intricate network built to cater not just to combatants but also strategically position senior members within the maze.
The human impact:
Last month’s hostage situation, where some were confined within the tunnels, and the challenging rescue missions portray a humanitarian dimension to the conflicts linked to these subterranean phenomena, providing Hamas with a leveraging edge in the conflict dynamics.
The broader picture:
The revised length of the tunnels and the complex nature of the military and geopolitical struggles emphasizes the prolonged tension in the region. The massive network requires enduring efforts to safely decommission and showcase the lengthy endurance required for Israel’s defense forces combating militant groups in densely-populated zones.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.
Hamas is believed to have used more than 6,000 tons of concrete and 1,800 tons of steel. Aside from showcasing the group’s resource allocations, it exemplifies the escalated scale at which Hamas has built this subterranean fortress.
.
The find and thehouse
Additionally, new insights into the variety and quality of tunnels display the intricate network built to cater not just to combatants but also strategically position senior members within the maze.
The human impact:
Last month’s hostage situation, where some were confined within the tunnels, and the challenging rescue missions portray a humanitarian dimension to the conflicts linked to these subterranean phenomena, providing Hamas with a leveraging edge in the conflict dynamics.
The broader picture:
The revised length of the tunnels and the complex nature of the military and geopolitical struggles emphasizes the prolonged tension in the region. The massive network requires enduring efforts to safely decommission and showcase the lengthy endurance required for Israel’s defense forces combating militant groups in densely-populated zones.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.