Inside the Depths: Unraveling the Enigmatic Underground Tunnel System of Hamas in Gaza

The tunnels underneath Gaza are renowned for their dual purpose: smuggling goods from Egypt and launching attacks on Israel.

However, there is another underground network, colloquially known as the "Gaza metro," which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refer to. This extensive labyrinth of tunnels is believed to span several kilometers underground and serves various functions. It is utilized for the transportation of both people and goods, storing rockets and ammunition caches, as well as serving as command and control centers for Hamas. The tunnels provide a secretive refuge away from the watchful gaze of the IDF's aircraft and surveillance drones.

In 2021, Hamas announced that they had constructed a network of tunnels measuring up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) beneath Gaza. However, the accuracy of this claim is uncertain and could potentially be aimed at projecting strength. If verified, Hamas' underground tunnel system would be slightly less than half the length of the New York City subway system.

According to Daphne Richemond-Barak, an expert on underground warfare and a professor at Israel's Reichman University, the tunnels created by Hamas are incredibly intricate and extensive. Despite Gaza being a relatively small area, the tunnel network is vast and significant in scale.

It is uncertain the exact cost of the tunnel network for Hamas, the governing body of the impoverished coastal strip. However, it is likely to be substantial in terms of both manpower and capital.

An Israeli commander tours Hamas and Islamic Jihad tunnels in February 2018.

Uriel Sinai/The New York Times/Redux

Since 2007, Gaza has been subjected to a land, sea, and air blockade by Israel, as well as a land blockade by Egypt. It is believed that Gaza does not have the necessary heavy machinery typically used for the construction of deep underground tunnels. Experts suggest that individuals using basic tools likely dug deep into the ground to create the network, which is equipped with electricity and bolstered with concrete. Israel has consistently accused Hamas of redirecting concrete intended for civilian and humanitarian purposes towards tunnel construction.

Critics of Hamas argue that the substantial funds allocated to tunnel building could have been better utilized for the construction of civilian bomb shelters or early warning systems, similar to those found in Israel's neighboring areas.

The asymmetric advantage

Throughout history, tunnels have served as a strategic asset in warfare, captivating military planners since medieval times. In the present day, these subterranean passages continue to provide militant groups such as Hamas with a distinct advantage in asymmetric warfare, effectively neutralizing certain technological advancements possessed by more sophisticated armed forces like the IDF.

Hamas tunnels differ from those of al Qaeda in Afghanistan or the Viet Cong in Southeast Asia due to their construction in a heavily populated region. Gaza City, which spans 88 square miles, is home to nearly 2 million people. Dealing with tunnels is always challenging, but the complexity increases in urban areas. This includes the tactical, strategic, operational aspects, as well as ensuring civilian protection, according to Richemond-Barak, a senior fellow at the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

In April 2017, the Israeli Army base in Petach Tikva hosted a training exercise where Israeli special combat soldiers utilized state-of-the-art virtual reality battlefield technology. The purpose of the exercise was to simulate the intricate network of Hamas tunnels that extend from Gaza to Israel.

According to Israeli authorities, the IDF has accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields by hiding in underground passages, houses, and buildings in Gaza. Palestinian health officials, relying on sources in the Hamas-controlled enclave, report that the Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 individuals.

One of the handful of hostages freed by Hamas recounted the harrowing experience of being abducted by armed individuals and transported into a labyrinthine tunnel network in Gaza. Yocheved Lifshitz, an elderly and delicate grandmother at 85, shared that she was compelled to tread on damp terrain and descend into an underground tunnel system resembling a spiderweb. There, she encountered individuals who professed their adherence to the Quran and assured her and the other hostages of their safety.

She mentioned that she, along with the rest of the hostages, were divided into groups and slept on floor mattresses inside the tunnels.

The IDF is anticipated to target the network during their upcoming ground incursion into Gaza, as they have in the past made significant efforts to eradicate Hamas tunnels. In 2014, Israel initiated a ground offensive in Gaza with the aim of eliminating the underground passages.

According to the United Nations, Israel has issued multiple warnings to the 1.1 million residents of Gaza about the need to relocate south in anticipation of an imminent operation. However, critics argue that this order is practically impossible to execute given the circumstances of an ongoing conflict. The United Nations' highest-ranking human rights official condemned this evacuation call, stating that it goes against the principles of warfare and basic human compassion.

Richemond-Barak commented that evacuating civilians from Gaza City would contribute to enhancing safety while addressing the elimination of tunnels, although undertaking such operations would pose risks.

This week, the Israeli military escalated its ground operation by launching intensified attacks on sites in Gaza. It reported successfully targeting 150 underground sites.

The IDF has the option to either temporarily disable or obliterate the tunnels. Richemond-Barak suggests that bombing the underground passages is generally the most effective method to eradicate them, although these strikes can have an impact on civilian populations.

Technology alone will not suffice to counter the subterranean threat, as manifested by Israel's investment of billions of dollars in a sophisticated smart system comprising advanced sensors and subterranean walls. However, despite these efforts, Hamas successfully conducted its assault on October 7 through land, air, and sea.

Richemond-Barak emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that incorporates visual intelligence, border monitoring, and even encourages civilians to remain vigilant for any suspicious activities. She noted that addressing tunnel threats does not have a foolproof solution and that there is no equivalent of an Iron Dome for this particular challenge.

This story has been updated with additional developments.