The Hamas Tunnel Network Beneath Gaza

By Jonathan Saul and Stephen Farrell

JERUSALEM/LONDON – According to security sources, Israeli ground troops preparing for engagement in Gaza face a formidable challenge presented by Hamas’s extensive tunnel network. This network stretches hundreds of kilometers and can reach depths of up to 80 meters. One released hostage likened it to "a spider’s web," while experts have described it as "Viet Cong times 10."

Hamas operates various types of tunnels beneath the 360 square kilometer coastal territory, including those for attacks, smuggling, storage, and operations, as outlined by Western and Middle Eastern sources.

Recently, the Israeli military asserted that Hamas has converted Gaza’s main hospital, Al Shifa, into a cover for its tunnels and operational centers. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesman, claimed, “Hamas has turned hospitals into command and control centers and hideouts for terrorists and commanders.” He presented evidence, including photographs and audio recordings, to support his statements. However, Hamas official Ezzat El-Reshiq dismissed these claims as false.

The United States has expressed concern that Israeli special forces may encounter unprecedented challenges while engaging militants, attempting to limit harm to hostages believed to be underground. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the complexity of the situation in Gaza may surpass the prolonged battle to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State, highlighting the anticipated presence of improvised explosive devices and booby traps.

Despite significant Israeli investments in tunnel detection technologies, including an underground barrier termed an "iron wall," it is believed that Hamas has maintained operational tunnels that connect to the outside. After the last conflicts in 2021, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Yehya Al-Sinwar, claimed that the tunnel network exceeded 500 km; he challenged assertions made by the Israeli military about its effectiveness in destroying tunnels.

The exact extent of the tunnel system remains unverified, but it is generally accepted among security analysts that the network is extensive, particularly given Gaza’s geographical constraints. With Israel controlling Gaza’s air and sea access and the majority of its land borders, these tunnels represent a critical lifeline for Hamas to smuggle in weapons and supplies.

A recently freed 85-year-old Israeli hostage, Yocheved Lifshitz, described her experience, stating, “It looked like a spider’s web, many, many tunnels,” and added, “We walked kilometers under the ground.” This elaborate system is seen as a significant strategic asset for Hamas, allowing them to navigate the conflict in ways that exploit their knowledge of the underground environment.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the tunnel network spans a considerable distance, often built under populated areas and schools. In response to the ongoing conflict, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging for UN intervention and calling for a political resolution rather than continued military actions.

Israeli security reports indicate that aerial bombardments have not significantly damaged the tunnel infrastructure, as Hamas naval commandos have recently carried out attacks targeting coastal communities. Former Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi stated that there is a vast underground city in Gaza, reaching depths of up to 50 meters, with various bunkers, operations centers, and numerous rocket launch sites interconnected.

Western security experts have noted that the tunnels are well-constructed and extensive, drawing parallels to the efforts of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Reports indicate that tunnels from Egypt remain operational, facilitating the supply of resources to Hamas despite the recent escalated hostilities.

Hamas has been tunneling since the mid-1990s, a process that gained momentum following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. This extensive network has allowed Hamas to strengthen its power in Gaza compared to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where military control significantly hinders similar activities.

Professor Joel Roskin from Bar-Ilan University emphasized the challenges of accurately mapping the tunnel system from above, underscoring the need for classified intelligence. Israeli special ops units, such as Yahalom, are specifically trained to locate and dismantle these tunnels. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed confidence in these elite forces during recent visits.

As tensions escalate, Israeli military sources warn that Hamas is now better prepared, armed with new technologies and strategies learned from conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Former Brigadier General Amnon Sofrin highlighted the growing sophistication of the threats faced, including new booby traps and advanced weaponry that have heightened the risks for Israeli forces in their operations against Hamas.