Breaking News: Israel has authority over the skies of the Gaza Strip, holds sovereignty over the territory, and has the capability to obliterate any structure that it categorizes as a legitimate target either from the air or the ground. In the midst of the city of Gaza, Israel’s troops, supported by tanks, are entering the area. As they progress through the wreckage, they are discovering yet another battlefield – the extensive network of fortified concrete tunnels that have been constructed by Hamas.
John Spencer from West Point’s Modern War Institute, stated, “They face a city beneath that city, from 15 feet underground to 200 feet, 20-30 stories underground.” The complex network of concrete-reinforced tunnels, estimated to span roughly 300 miles underneath the Gaza Strip, presents a significant challenge for the military as they seek to counteract the terrorists. It was expressed that in order to dismantle Hamas, Israel will need to infiltrate these tunnels since conventional tactics are ineffective in these underground terrains. It was highlighted that “nothing created for surface combat works” and soldier’s face substantial difficulties as the harsh environment renders simple navigation and communication almost impossible.
Furthermore, it was reported that U.S. special forces train in Colorado’s two-mile-long tunnel complex, similar to the extensive underground network maintained by Hamas in Gaza. These are the shocking and high-stakes matters that demand navigation and exploration, which Sean Humbert of the University of Colorado at Boulder said: “You don’t have GPS, you don’t have communications — the environment is incredibly difficult.” A DARPA Subterranean Challenge, consisting of a competition to devise technologies suited for operating in this divergent battleground, has also been initiated.
Consequently, Israel’s efforts to unearth and combat Hamas in these tunnels involve sophisticated technologies and strategies to navigate and explore the underworld. Autonomous robots, such as MARBLE (Multi-agent Autonomy with Radar-Based Localization for Exploration) robots, have become essential assets that are deployed to scout the terrains. Despite the progress in technology, these robots are still susceptible to various obstacles and risks when operating underground. Although the development of these systems has introduced a measure of safety for soldiers, these expendable robots are still prone to attacks.
Hamas fighters have effectively exploited these tunnels to evade bombings and coordinate attacks. In light of these underground corridors, which offer them an advantage in terms of defense and time preservation, Hamas continues to use them to exploit the IDF. Moreover, Israel’s lack of knowledge about possible hostages in the extensive tunnel system has significantly compromised its deterrent methods.
Due to the complex nature of the tunnels, possessing and navigating the terrain is crucial for the success of Israel’s endeavors. However, caution must be exercised as the environment poses challenges that may outweigh combat with the enemy itself. Although Israel has trained tunnel units and robotic assets, uncovering the tunnels alone may not be sufficient to claim victory in the ongoing war against Hamas – a daunting adversary within such a convoluted battleground.
