Israel Launches Major Offensive Against Hamas Tunnels in Gaza

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.

Israel
An Israeli army officer gave journalists a tour on Friday, July 25, 2014, of a tunnel allegedly used by Palestinian militants for cross-border attacks at the Israel-Gaza border. An extensive labyrinth of tunnels built by Hamas stretches across the dense neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip, hiding militants, their missile arsenal, and the over 200 hostages they now hold after an unprecedented Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. (Credit: AP Photo)

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.