Israel targets tunnels built by Hamas under its cities

World Today

During two weeks of intense shelling in Gaza, Israel’s military focused on tunnels. They say an intricate network of tunnels, built by Hamas, stretches for many kilometers. They are said to house weapons and run underneath Israeli towns. CCTV’s Stephanie Freid reports from the Gaza-Israel border looking at Israel’s tunnel campaign.

Israel targets Hamas tunnels under its cities

During two weeks of intense shelling in Gaza, Israel's military focused on tunnels. They say an intricate network of tunnels, built by Hamas, stretches for many kilometers. They are said to house weapons and run underneath Israeli towns. CCTV's Stephanie Freid reports from the Gaza-Israel border looking at Israel's tunnel campaign.

An intricate, 30-meter deep labrynth of interconnected passageways is a focal target of Israel’s military during the current Gaza campaign. Dubbed as “Lower Gaza” by some, Hamas’ tunnel network stretches for miles and houses bunkers, command centers, weapons stores and underground rocket-launching sites. Israel’s army is set on destroying the tunnels in order to ensure they no longer stretch into Israel proper.

Israeli army commanders say, after searches in a vicinity recently, a tunnel opening was discovered. The opening leads to a tunnel used by Hamas.

In October, journalists were invited to view a tunnel system that had been uncovered by Israel’s army. The structure of these tunnels is sturdy, sophisticated and wired with electricity leading all the way from Gaza into southern Israel. The gas geysers in the tunnels are used as “flushing” tactic. By pumping gas in, military specialists can determine where offshoot chambers and multiple entrances are situated.Tacticians estimate hundreds of thousands of tons of concrete were used to build underground networks.

Israel’s army knew about the intricate underground system before this campaign, but admit they didn’t know how complex it was. Military officials admit they may not be able to wipe out all tunnels during Operation Protective Edge. This attempt to target tunnels will help people living in border communities sleep more soundly at night.

CCTV’s Elaine Reyes talks to Graeme Bannerman, former analyst for the U.S. State department to find out more about the dire situation in Gaza strip.

Graeme Bannerman talks about dire situation in Gaza

CCTV's Elaine Reyes talks to Graeme Bannerman, former analyst for the U.S. State department to find out more about the dire situation in Gaza strip.