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Hamas, the militant and political organization that controls the Gaza Strip, is known to have developed a vast subterranean tunnel network beneath the Gaza Strip. These tunnels are commonly known as the “Gaza metro” and are used to move personnel, weapons, and supplies as well as to launch covert and surprise attacks against Israel. The tunnels are said to be extremely well developed and sophisticated, and some experts even claim that they rival the capabilities of even the most advanced military tunnel networks. Some of the tunnels are estimated to be as deep as 45 meters underground and span for up to a kilometer or two in length. In addition to being used for offensive operations against Israel, the tunnels are also used by Hamas for training and as shelter from Israeli airstrikes.
The precise scale and extent of the Gaza metro is not known, and they are thought to be much larger than what is suggested by imagery from the surface. Recent developments in tunnel detection technology have made it possible for Israel to detect some of the underground passages, though they can still be difficult to pinpoint due to the extreme depths they are dug. In attempts to detect and destroy the tunnels, the Israeli military has employed ground sensors as well as technological advancements such as robots and seismic imaging. Hamas, on the other hand, has countered these measures by reportedly playing loud music to obscure the sound of their tunnel building activities.
Despite Israel’s efforts to detect and destroy the tunnels, Hamas has still managed to use them successfully to launch attacks. In one of the most notorious instances of a tunnel attack against Israel, Hamas militants emerged in 2014 from a tunnel at a kibbutz near the Gaza border and killed five people. The attack resulted in a month-long war between Israel and Hamas which left over 2,100 people dead, the majority of which were Palestinians.
As of 2021, Hamas’ tunnel network is still believed to remain a potent threat to Israel. While the exact size and scope of the tunnels remains a mystery, it is clear that they are an effective tool in Hamas’ toolbox of asymmetric warfare and continue to present a major security challenge for both Israel and the region.