In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military has launched a major offensive aimed at the extensive network of tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip.
The operation, involving a fleet of 160 aircraft targeting over 150 subterranean sites in the northern Gaza Strip, was primarily focused on Beit Lahiya.
The military has stated that the objective of the operation is to inflict substantial damage on the tunnel network, known as the “metro”, which is extensively utilized by Hamas.
This intricate network spans hundreds of kilometers beneath Gaza.
The operation follows a cross-border gun rampage by Hamas gunmen on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people and the taking of some 240 hostages.
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In response, they launched a relentless offensive against Gaza, employing air strikes and ground troops to bifurcate the coastal enclave. Gaza City, the largest town in the territory and a key stronghold of Hamas, is now under siege.