Israel has announced plans to completely destroy the remaining network of tunnels operated by Hamas beneath the Gaza Strip, in coordination with the United States and other international partners, once the ongoing hostage release phase is concluded.
Defence Minister Israel Katz, in a statement on Sunday, said the upcoming operation would be executed under an “international mechanism” led by Washington — a move aligned with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect three days ago.
“Israel’s great challenge after the hostage release phase will be the destruction of all Hamas terrorist tunnels in Gaza,” Katz declared. “I have ordered the army to prepare to carry out this mission.”
The labyrinthine tunnel system, long used by Hamas to move fighters, weapons, and supplies undetected, has posed one of Israel’s toughest military challenges throughout the ongoing conflict. Some of these tunnels reportedly extend beneath the border fence into Israeli territory, enabling surprise cross-border attacks.
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Large sections of the underground network have already been demolished during Israel’s sustained military campaign, which followed Hamas’s unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the two-year-long war.
According to Katz, the planned operation will be part of the next stage of the U.S.-supported ceasefire roadmap, which includes Hamas’s disarmament and demilitarisation.
The first phase of the agreement — now underway — has seen a fragile truce hold since Friday, with Hamas committing to release 48 Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, by Monday.
Images emerging from Gaza on Sunday showed residents navigating through the ruins of bombed-out buildings in Gaza City, underscoring the devastating toll of the conflict as diplomatic efforts intensify to consolidate peace and begin reconstruction.