Hamas’s manual for underground combat provides detailed instructions on navigating in darkness, moving stealthily beneath Gaza, and effectively using automatic weapons in confined spaces. The document, seized by Israeli forces in 2019, reveals Hamas’s extensive efforts to build and fortify an underground military operation capable of withstanding prolonged attacks.
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, approved significant funding for blast doors to protect the tunnel network from airstrikes and ground assaults. The manual includes guidance on camouflaging tunnel entrances, utilizing night-vision goggles, and firing weapons for maximum effectiveness in narrow spaces.
Israel underestimated the sophistication and extent of Hamas’s tunnel network, which has been crucial in the ongoing conflict. Hamas has adapted its tactics to primarily use the tunnels for launching hit-and-run attacks, hiding from Israeli forces, and detonating explosives remotely. Despite these tactics, Israel has made significant progress in dismantling Hamas’s tunnel infrastructure.
The discovery of the manual and other related documents sheds light on the intricate underground network known as the “Gaza Metro.” Hamas uses tunnels for various purposes, including mounting attacks, establishing command centers, and connecting weapons facilities. These tunnels have posed significant challenges for Israeli forces, requiring extensive resources and time to clear and destroy.
The costly and sophisticated nature of Hamas’s tunnel network, as highlighted in the documents, emphasizes the strategic importance of underground warfare in the ongoing conflict. Despite the challenges posed by the tunnels, Israel remains committed to targeting and dismantling Hamas’s underground infrastructure, even as it acknowledges the significant impact on Palestinian civilians living above the tunnels.