‘Viet Cong times 10’: underground warfare awaits Israeli troops in Gaza

Israeli ground troops in Gaza are expected to face a significant challenge in the form of an extensive tunnel network constructed by the Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas. This network, described as a 'spider's web' by a former hostage and 'Viet Cong times 10' by an expert, spans hundreds of kilometres and reaches depths of up to 80 metres. The tunnels serve various purposes, including facilitating attacks, smuggling, storage, and operations, according to Western and Middle Eastern sources.

The United States anticipates that Israel's special forces will encounter an unprecedented challenge in combating Hamas militants while striving to avoid harming hostages held underground. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin suggested that the nine-month-long battle to reclaim the city of Mosul from the Islamic State might have been less challenging than what awaits the Israelis. The latter are likely to face numerous IEDs (improvised explosive devices), booby traps, and a gruelling fight. Despite Israel's significant investment in tunnel detection technology, including a sensor-equipped underground barrier dubbed the 'iron wall', it is believed that Hamas still maintains operational tunnels.

Following the most recent hostilities in 2021, Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yehya Al-Sinwar, claimed that the group's tunnel network in the Gaza Strip exceeds 500 kilometres. He argued that even if Israel's claims of destroying 100 kilometres of the tunnels were accurate, this would only represent 20 per cent of the total network. While there has been no independent verification of Sinwar's claims, security analysts widely accept the estimate of hundreds of kilometres. Given Israel's control of Gaza's air and sea access and the majority of its land borders, the tunnels represent one of the few avenues for Hamas to import weapons, equipment, and personnel.