New Delhi:
Preventing in Gaza has entered day 21 after the Palestinian group Hamas launched a shock cross-border assault on Israel, killing about 1,400 folks. For the reason that October 7 assault, Israel has been bombarding Gaza, during which greater than 7,000 Palestinians have been killed.
The Israeli navy has additionally mounted an incursion deeper into Gaza on Friday because it readies for a floor offensive towards Hamas. Nevertheless, one of many largest challenges the Israeli troops face is an in depth Hamas tunnel community, the place the group is claimed to have taken a number of hostages.
Hamas reportedly has completely different sorts of tunnels — lots of of kilometres lengthy and as much as 80 metres deep — operating beneath the sandy 360-sq-km coastal strip and its borders.
Sponge bombs create sudden explosion of froth
With a purpose to combat Hamas by means of its tunnel community, Israel is reportedly making “sponge bombs”, which create a sudden explosion of froth that quickly expands after which hardens.
Based on a report in The Telegraph, Israel has been testing the chemical grenades, which comprise no explosives however are used to seal off gaps or tunnel entrances from which Hamas operatives might emerge.Â
These gadgets are stated to be encased inside a protecting plastic container that has a steel barrier that divides two distinct liquids. When activated, these liquids merge and advance towards their meant vacation spot.
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) have been seen deploying these gadgets throughout workouts in a mock tunnel system close to the Gaza border in 2021.
Among the many elite models tasked with going underground is Yahalom, specialist commandos from Israel’s Fight Engineering Corps often called the “weasels”, who concentrate on discovering, clearing, and destroying the tunnels.
How Hamas constructed its tunnel community
Hamas was created in Gaza in 1987 and reportedly began digging tunnels within the mid-Nineties.
The tunnel community is a key cause why Hamas is stronger in Gaza than within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution.
Tunneling grew to become simpler in 2005 when Israel pulled its troopers and settlers out of Gaza, and when Hamas received energy in a 2006 election.
(With company inputs)