According to security sources, the IDF has only managed to destroy about 25% of Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza, N12 reports today.
The sources also revealed that a large portion of the smuggling tunnels from Egypt to Gaza remains undestroyed. The Egypt-Gaza border continues to be a contentious issue, with ongoing concerns about weapons smuggling, which is one reason Israel has refused to withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor.
“I saw with my own eyes quite a few tunnels crossing into Egypt; some were closed, and several were open,” Defense Minister Israel Katz stated at a February conference, as reported by N12. “We had information that Hamas was planning to attack soldiers and settlements during the ceasefire.”
Despite efforts to control the corridor as a buffer zone, many experts believe that maintaining control over the border may not be sufficient to prevent weapons from flowing into Gaza.
This information comes after the resumption of military operations in Gaza and a military order issued in late March instructing residents of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, to evacuate. The IDF had previously pulled troops from Rafah following a ceasefire agreement in January, though that ceasefire has since ended.
Just under two weeks ago, the IDF announced that its Yahalom Unit had dismantled a Hamas tunnel that stretched over one kilometer. The 143rd, 252nd, and 36th IDF divisions are currently active in the area.
The IDF also informed N12 that it has identified a significant number of Hamas terrorists fleeing combat zones. These terrorists are reportedly hiding among civilians and in tunnels, likely trying to evade direct confrontation with soldiers.
The military has indicated that its operations in Gaza have become increasingly decentralized, with limited face-to-face combat. However, the IDF anticipates that this will be a temporary phase, believing that Hamas will eventually be forced to engage in direct confrontation again.
“IDF troops, under the leadership of the Southern Command, are deepening the operation, and this will continue at a deliberate and determined pace,” stated Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir.
“The only thing that can halt our advance is the release of our hostages. Their return would allow our forces to reposition and enable the continuation of negotiation.”
{Matzav.com}