Israel plans to destroy what remains of Hamas’ network of tunnels under Gaza, working with US approval after its hostages are freed, it said yesterday.
Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz said that the operation would be conducted under an “international mechanism” led by the US.
“Israel’s great challenge after the hostage release phase will be the destruction of all Hamas terrorist tunnels in Gaza,” Katz said.
Photo: AP
“I have ordered the army to prepare to carry out this mission,” he added.
Hamas operates a network of tunnels under Gaza, allowing its fighters to operate out of sight of Israeli reconnaissance.
Some have passed under the border fence into Israel, allowing surprise attacks.
Many have already been destroyed during the two-year war triggered by the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border assault into Israel.
The remainder would be destroyed under the framework of Hamas’ disarming and demilitarization, foreseen in the next stages of the US-backed ceasefire plan, Katz said.
Hamas has agreed to the first stage of the plan, which led to a ceasefire on Friday and today should see the release of 48 Israeli hostages, living and dead.
In exchange, Israel is expected to release 250 “national security prisoners,” including several blamed for deadly attacks, and 1,700 Gazans detained by the military.
Hamas has resisted calls to disarm, and senior official Hossam Badran yesterday said that the second phase of the US plan “contains many complexities and difficulties.”
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