Posted on 12/09/2023 5:29:52 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Despite overwhelming military superiority, Israel is struggling to develop an effective strategy to tackle the tunnel network under Gaza.
This "underworld" has provided Hamas with a degree of sanctuary beyond the gaze of satellites, drones and military forces.
How will Israel defeat Hamas without destroying the tunnel network?
The "Gaza metro" is bigger in scale than the London Underground network. Many of the tunnels were originally dug in the early 1980s to bypass the border between Egypt and Rafah, enabling the illegal smuggling of trade and weapons.
However, they have since been expanded into two further categories: defensive and offensive.
The former is primarily focused on the storage of weapons, logistic supplies (fuel, water and food) and command and control HQs, whereas the latter is an elaborate network of tunnels across the border into Israel to enable Hamas to take small-scale offensive action, and crucially to seize hostages.
Since assuming control of Gaza in 2006, Hamas has taken the development of the tunnel network to a new level.
The soft sandstone under Gaza is conducive to tunnelling, but Hamas has also adapted the network in response to Israel's various attempts to destroy it.
Bunker buster bombs could penetrate deep underground - and if they did not destroy a tunnel directly, the shifting sands would cause nearby tunnels to implode.
By digging the tunnels deeper - the main network is now over 20m (65ft) down rather than around 10m (32ft) for the original tunnels - Hamas made them far more difficult to target and destroy.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
52 re the Daisy Cutter concussion bomb. As I recall, at least one was used to clear-cut Hill 881 or a nearby hill for a landing zone for Hueys and possibly Chinook cargo choppers. Also they totally collapsed any NVA trenches and gun positions, reportedly killing up to hundreds of them who were left to cover their retreating main force.
I flew in Hueys in both So. Vietnam and Cambodia as journalist in II Corps/Central Highlands and in Cambodia as far north as Compang Cham.
They were often built beneath “UN Refugee Camps”. Also, knowing that tunnels are being built (not a surprise, after a while Hamas started bragging about them) does not mean you know where most of the access points are or that you can do anything about it.
...with frickin' lasers on their heads.
Smoke them out.
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