What was once used as passageways to smuggle goods from Egypt for survival is now a sophisticated network of underground tunnels that could have far-reaching military implications in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The vast labyrinth of tunnels, called Gaza Metro by the Israel Defense Forces, was used by the terrorist group to launch attacks on their nemesis and could be the real target of the latter in its planned ground counter-offensive on Gaza City.
The mysterious network of subterranean channels has been a source of concern for Israeli security forces and has played a significant role in the dynamics of the conflict.
The genesis of the Gaza Metro can be traced back to the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza years earlier, which limited the movement of goods and people in and out of the territory. Faced with these restrictions, Hamas turned to the underground infrastructure to circumvent the blockade and bolster its military capabilities.
Initially, the tunnels were primarily used to smuggle essential goods into the Gaza Strip, including food, medicine and construction materials. The blockade had severely limited the availability of these necessities, prompting Hamas to seek alternative routes for their transport. The Gaza Metro became a lifeline for Gazans, offering a way to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade.
Over time, the Gaza Metro evolved beyond its role as a smuggling conduit and transformed into a military asset for Hamas. The tunnels were reinforced and expanded to facilitate the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies underground. Some tunnels were equipped with electricity, ventilation systems, and communication networks, indicating a high level of engineering sophistication.
These underground passageways also served as launch sites for surprise attacks on Israeli territory. Hamas militants would emerge from the tunnels to carry out assaults, catching Israeli forces off guard. The element of surprise and the ability to operate beneath the surface presented a significant challenge to Israeli defense strategies.
Tunnels have been an attractive tool of warfare since medieval times. Today, they offer militant groups like Hamas an edge in asymmetric warfare, negating some technological advantages of a more advanced military like the IDF.
According to CNN, what makes Hamas tunnels different from those of al-Qaeda in the mountains of Afghanistan or the Viet Cong in the jungles of Southeast Asia is that it has constructed an underground network below one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. Nearly two million people live in the 88 square miles of Gaza City.
The existence of the Gaza Metro poses substantial security challenges for Israel. The tunnels undermine the effectiveness of conventional military tactics, as the underground nature of the infrastructure makes it difficult to detect and target. Israel has responded to this threat through a combination of advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and military operations to locate and destroy these tunnels.
The battle between Israel and Hamas in the subterranean realm has given rise to a unique and unprecedented warfare. Both sides have invested heavily in developing technologies to detect and neutralize tunnels. Israel has employed ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and advanced intelligence to locate and destroy tunnel networks.
On the other hand, Hamas has continually adapted its tunnel construction methods, using reinforced materials and zigzagging patterns to avoid detection.
While the Gaza Metro presents a security challenge for Israel, it also raises ethical questions about the impact of military responses on civilians. Israel's efforts to destroy the tunnels have sometimes resulted in collateral damage, affecting civilian infrastructure and homes.
No less than United States President Joe Biden has warned about putting boots on the ground in Gaza, with aid groups warning of a humanitarian disaster, fears of the conflict escalating, and the challenges of separating militants from civilians in the impoverished, densely occupied territory.
"I think it'd be a big mistake," Biden said of the planned ground invasion of Gaza.
At any rate, as the conflict continues, the battle underneath highlights the ever-evolving nature of modern warfare, where traditional borders and battlefields are blurred, and the ability to navigate the underground world becomes a critical aspect of military strategy.
E-mail: mannyangeles27@gmail.com