JERUSALEM: Israel plans to destroy what stays of Hamas’ community of tunnels below Gaza, working with US approval after its hostages are freed, it mentioned on Sunday (Oct 12).
Defence Minister Israel Katz mentioned the operation can be performed below an “worldwide mechanism” led by the USA, sponsor of the three-day-old Gaza ceasefire.
“Israel’s nice problem after the hostage launch section would be the destruction of all Hamas terrorist tunnels in Gaza,” Katz mentioned in an announcement.
“I’ve ordered the military to organize to hold out this mission.”
The Palestinian militant group Hamas operates a community of tunnels below Gaza, permitting its fighters to function out of sight of Israeli reconnaissance.
Some have handed below the border fence into Israel, permitting shock assaults.
Many have already been destroyed in the course of the two-year battle triggered by the group’s Oct 7, 2023 cross-border assault into Israel.
Katz mentioned the rest can be destroyed below the framework of Hamas’ disarming and demilitarisation, foreseen within the subsequent phases of the US-backed ceasefire plan.
