Unveiling Hamas: The Extensive Network of Underground Tunnels Redefining Gaza's Defense Strategy

Hamas's entire political-military strategy in the Israel-Hamas war is centered on its vast underground tunnel network in Gaza, which serves both military and political purposes. The network, estimated to span between 350 and 450 miles with close to 5,700 separate shafts, has cost Hamas as much as a billion dollars to construct over fifteen years. By integrating the tunnels into civilian and protected sites, Hamas aims to complicate Israel's military operations and buy time for international pressure to stop the conflict. This unique use of tunnels presents both tactical and strategic challenges for Israel, as the war becomes more about time and underground warfare than traditional surface-based combat.