The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released a video alleging that Hamas is using mosques in Gaza to conceal underground tunnels.
The video presents a deep tunnel within a building, which IDF soldiers identify as a mosque, along with several other tunnels they claim are being used by Hamas in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as per Mail Online.
IDF Destroys 500 Hamas Tunnels in Gaza
It has been reported that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground troops have made their way into Khan Younis, located in the southern region of Gaza. This marks the first time that such a move has been observed. In the aftermath of the expiration of a seven-day ceasefire, a series of aerial and naval attacks have been launched, targeting more than 400 locations within the enclave.
IDF spokesman Lt-Col Peter Lerner informed The Sun that approximately 800 tunnel access points have been identified since the war's onset, with around 500 destroyed. The IDF has developed various technologies over the past decade to counter what they perceive as Hamas's reliance on subterranean warfare.
These methods include using drones to detect hidden structures and planes to destroy deeper defenses with specialized bombs. Armored bulldozers, attack dogs, unmanned vehicles, and robots are also employed to explore and clear underground areas.
The IDF has also introduced innovative "sponge bombs," chemical devices that generate a foam explosion, solidifying into an airtight barrier to seal tunnel entrances. This tactic is intended to incapacitate Hamas troops by trapping them underground. Lt-Col Lerner highlighted the discovery of booby traps in tunnels, houses, and along transport routes.
Former deputy head of Israel's National Security Council, Itamar Yaar, recommended collapsing the tunnels rather than entering them unless absolutely necessary. The IDF is reportedly executing operations with extreme caution to avoid endangering hostages.
The IDF's slow and methodical approach is justified by Lt-Col Lerner, citing Hamas's 16-year preparation period for such a conflict. He also mentioned that the terror group and its commanders might possess a more extensive network of tunnels than the previously estimated 250 miles, according to The Sun.
IDF Targets Sinwar, Reveals Weaponized Hamas Tunnels
Some of these tunnels have been found to contain rocket silos, allowing Hamas to continue missile launches into Israel. Others are equipped with electricity, water, and solar-powered air conditioning units.
The IDF's most wanted list includes Sinwar, 61, held responsible for the October 7 incident that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 240 hostages. Lt-Col Lerner stated that Sinwar, by financing and approving these operations, has effectively signed his own death warrant, with the IDF committed to employing all means to eliminate him.
Moreover, the IDF reported the killing of Hamas battalion commander Wissam Farhat in an airstrike on Saturday.
Since the beginning of the ground operation in Gaza on October 27, Israeli forces have discovered 800 shafts leading to Hamas's extensive underground network, destroying more than half. Hamas had previously claimed to have hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, likened to the New York subway system, serving both as protection and operational bases.
These tunnels, often located in civilian areas near schools, kindergartens, mosques, and playgrounds, have been prime targets for Israeli strikes. The IDF's statement on Sunday summarized its anti-tunnel operations, noting the destruction of "many miles" of main tunnel routes through detonation and sealing.
The civilian impact of the war has raised concerns among global powers, with Washington urging Israel to exercise caution in its operations, Rauters reported.
Related Article: Israel Expands Ground Operations Against Hamas Across Gaza Strip
