Israel’s estimates in December that the length of Hamas tunnels under the Gaza Strip was more than 400 kilometers were incorrect, the « New York Times » reports.
The newspaper said: « Israeli officials and soldiers who have since been in the tunnels – as well as current and former US officials with experience in the region – say the scale, depth and quality of the tunnels built by Hamas surprised them. » The Israeli army was also surprised by the machines used by Hamas to dig the tunnels.
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According to the report, the tunnels span 560 to 720 kilometers, accessible through 5,700 different shafts. All this in the Gaza Strip, which extends only 40 kilometers from north to south.
In a meeting earlier this month, a senior Israeli military official told the « New York Times » that the tunnels would not even be a factor in a future war with Hamas because of Israel’s military strength.
“Hamas has used its time and resources over the past 15 years to turn Gaza into a fortress,” said Aaron Greenstone, a former CIA officer who has worked extensively in the Middle East.
IDF forces are treating the tunnels in a variety of ways, including mapping them using various technologies using small drones and dogs, then flooding them with seawater and, according to some reports, using liquid explosive materials.
The Israeli army has reduced its troops in the northern Gaza Strip, which today allowed Hamas to fire rockets at Gaza border settlements. At the same time, the IDF continues to operate in Khan Younis, where Israeli intelligence agents told the « New York Times » that there are about 160 kilometers of tunnels.
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – fr.globes.co.il – January 16, 2024.
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.
