Israel's CLAIM Successfully Floods Gaza Tunnel, Hamas Dismisses: It's Immune to Flooding & Has Been Calculated!
- Claims by a number of Israeli media that said that the IDF had successfully flooded tunnels in Gaza were denied by senior Hamas officials.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamda said that tunnels in Gaza are claimed to be immune from sea water flooding. He revealed that the tunnel had been so beautifully designed by great engineers. The action of the Israeli army or IDF which tried to flood the tunnel using sea water was not considered to be successful in defeating Hamas.
IDF troops in northern Gaza claim to have found the mouth of a Hamas tunnel where Palestinian fighters were hiding while fighting against the Israeli military. This leaflet photo was released by the IDF on November 23, 2023. (Times of Israel/IDF)
"The tunnel was built by skilled and knowledgeable engineers who took into account all possible attacks from the occupation side, including water pumping," explained Hamdan.
"The tunnels are an integral part of the resistance, and all potential consequences and expected attacks have been taken into account," Hamdan said. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan, in a press conference held in Beirut, said this in response to reports of possible tunnel detection by IDF troops, as reported by CNN.
Meanwhile, a number of media in Israel claimed that the attempt to flood the Hamas tunnel was successful.
The Times of Israel reported that efforts by the Israeli army (IDF) to pump seawater into the extensive network of tunnels built by Hamas in Gaza, proved “successful.”
This claim refers to the initial steps of pumping sea water into the Hamas tunnels carried out by the IDF.
“Flooding of the tunnel has indeed begun, albeit in limited trial capacity…,” and “it is understood to be successful,” the newspaper said Thursday (14/12/2023).
Three days ago, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Israeli military had started pumping sea water into the tunnels used by Hamas.
Citing US officials familiar with Israel's military operations, WSJ reported that moves to flood the tunnel with water from the Mediterranean are still in the early stages.
A spokesman for Israel's Defence Ministry declined to comment and said military operations regarding the tunnel were kept secret.
But when asked whether the tactic of flooding the tunnels could potentially also kill Israeli hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari implied that the prisoners were in another location.
Hagari said that the Israeli military was operating based on "intelligence" information about where Israeli prisoners were being held by Hamas.
“The IDF will not take any action detrimental to Israel,” Hagari added.
Built by Engineers, Every Threat Has Been Taken into Account
Underground tunnels in Gaza continue to be developed by Hamas, posing a challenge to the Israeli army (Palestinian tunnel in Gaza.jpg)
In another press conference in Beirut also on Thursday, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the tunnel was built to withstand flooding.
He emphasized that Israel's plans to flood sea water into the underground infrastructure had been taken into account.
“The tunnel was built by trained and educated engineers who took into account all possible attacks from the occupation side, including water pumping,” Hamdan said.
Hamdan added that the underground network is an integral part of the struggle of the Palestinian resistance militia.
"And all the consequences and attacks that were expected to occur have been taken into account," he said.
At the start of the war, in October, Israeli officials said that under no circumstances should IDF soldiers try to enter the tunnels.
Underground tunnels in Gaza continue to be developed by Hamas, making Israel nervous (CNBC)
Still Far from Success
The Times of Israel's report comes as Israel is still far from successful in destroying Hamas. “Israel is still far from overthrowing Hamas. "The majority of the fighters are still alive, they still have rockets," said Michael Millstein, a Palestinian studies expert, on December 12. Fighting continues between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups in northern and southern Gaza, and resistance fighters ambush Israeli troops on a daily basis.
At least 10 Israeli soldiers were killed in the Shujaiya neighborhood north of Gaza and elsewhere on December 12 in coordinated ambushes carried out by Hamas and other groups.
Israeli media called the ambush “one of the deadliest” since the ground war was launched in late October.
Until now, a number of countries, including the United States, continue to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, Palestine.
SIGHTING OF UNDERGROUND TUNNEL IN GAZA, MAKES Israel Concerned About Paralyzing Hamas: Long & Complicated
Repeatedly attacked by the Israeli army, Hamas forces in Gaza, Palestine continues to improve itself by developing quite complex and intricate underground tunnels.
An underground tunnel in Gaza, Palestine has become a clever tactic for Hamas to defend and attack the Israeli army This tactic proved to be enough to make the Israeli troops inconvenient and nervous.
The reason is, Hamas can attack and retreat in a short time.
To tame the tactics of Hamas using these underground tunnels, Israel made an analysis and conducted research. Reported by TribunnewsMaker.com from the Jerusalem Post on Saturday (28/10/2023), an Israeli scientist who is most diligent in researching the Gaza Tunnel made by Hamas is Professor Joel Roskin. Professor Joel Roskin is a geomorphologist and geologist at the department of geography and environment at Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Professor Joel Roskin has published a study of the Gaza Tunnel entitled 'Underground Warfare in the Gaza Strip and the Military Complexity of Combating It'. The study is based on his experience as head of the terrain research department in the 2000s and information published in Israeli media.
Before discussing his study, Professor Joel Roskin explained that the creation of underground tunnels on battlefields dates back thousands of years.
For example, the Asur Inscription shows King Sargon's engineering unit from the Kingdom of Akkad (2,334 and 2,279 BC) tearing down the walls of an enemy city. According to Professor Joel Roskin, the Gaza tunnels initially shared some basic characteristics with other excavation sites in Israel and elsewhere in the world,
But in its development, the Gaza tunnel system experienced unique and different shifts in function.
The uniqueness and differences are related to the existing geological, geopolitical and geographical conditions. What's interesting about Hamas is the rapid and modern growth rate of its tunnels.
Underground tunnels in Gaza continue to be developed by Hamas, posing a challenge to the Israeli army (mwi.westpoint.edu)
Not only the size but also the purpose of defending and attacking the Israeli army. "These tunnels started out for smuggling goods, developed into weapons smuggling, and then became tunnels for attacks and hiding," explained Roskin, he added as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.
The effectiveness of these underground tunnels makes it easier for Hamas to attack and hide.Temporarily
Israel still doesn't have the right way to deal with it. The Hamas Tunnels are no longer just transit routes from one point to another, but rather complex, multi-story underground caves and tunnels.
Underground tunnels in Gaza continue to be developed by Hamas, posing a challenge to the Israeli army (Palestinian tunnel in Gaza.jpg)
Inside the tunnel there are various alcoves which are used as rooms, halls and warehouses. Many of the entrance holes to underground 'cities' - especially in residential buildings - are horizontal, vertical or slanted. It is assumed that the extensive network of tunnels is tens of meters long. Professor Joel Roskin suspects there are several hundred kilometers spread beneath the Gaza Strip.
Underground tunnels in Gaza continue to be developed by Hamas, posing a challenge to the Israeli army (24h.com.vn)
This makes the process of mapping the tunnels difficult. Even mapping can be inaccurate even when using existing satellite technology.
According to Professor Joel Roskin, Hamas is consistently learning and improving. They dig tunnels that are deeper, bigger and longer.
At the same time, the means of support, communication and electricity, as well as human adaptation in it are almost perfect.
They continue to build supporting facilities in the underground tunnels.
The location of the entrances and exits of the tunnels in urban areas makes things easier for Hamas as critical infrastructure such as electricity, water and communications are nearby.
The Gaza Tunnel Becomes a Challenge for Israeli Army "This holistic underground guerrilla concept includes logistical, strategic and tactical tunnels in addition to above-ground combat methods." said Professor Joel Roskin. "The underground is integrated into all aspects of Hamas' fighting, including firing posts, covert concentration of troops." he added.
"It is also possible to transport prisoners and hostages and to detain them. These conditions are indeed a challenge for a full IDF offensive attack," he concluded. Until now, the Israeli army is trying to solve the puzzle of the underground tunnels controlled by Hamas.
KLAIM Israel Sukses Banjiri Terowongan Gaza, Hamas Menepis: Itu Kebal Banjir & Sudah Diperhitungkan!
- Klaim sejumlah media Israel yang menyebutkan bahwa IDF sukses membanjiri terowongan di Gaza dibantah oleh pejabat senior Hamas.
Pejabat senior Hamas, Osama Hamda mengatakan bahwa terowongan di Gaza diklaim kebal dari banjir air laut.
Dia mengungkapkan bahwa terowongan tersebut telah dirancang begitu apik oleh insinyur hebat.
Aksi tentara Israel atau IDF yang berusaha membanjiri terowongan tersebut menggunakan air laut pun dianggap tidak akan berhasil mengalahkan Hamas.
Pasukan IDF di Gaza utara mengklaim menemukan mulut terowongan Hamas yang menjadi persembunyian para pejuang Palestina tersebut selama melakukan perlawanan terhadap militer Israel. Foto selebaran ini dirilis IDF pada 23 November 2023. (Times of Israel/IDF)
“Terowongan tersebut dibangun oleh para insinyur yang terampil dan berpengetahuan luas yang mempertimbangkan semua kemungkinan serangan dari pihak pendudukan, termasuk pemompaan air." jelas Hamdan.
"Terowongan tersebut merupakan bagian integral dari perlawanan, dan semua konsekuensi potensial serta serangan yang diperkirakan telah diperhitungkan,” kata Hamdan.
Pejabat senior Hamas Osama Hamdan, dalam konferensi pers yang diadakan di Beirut mengatakan itu sebagai tanggapan atas laporan kemungkinan deteksi terowongan oleh pasukan IDF, sebagaimana dilaporkan CNN.
Sementara itu, sejumlah media di Israel mengklaim bahwa upaya pembanjiran terowongan Hamas tersebut terbilang sukses.
The Times of Israel melaporkan kalau upaya tentara Israel (IDF) memompa air laut ke dalam jaringan terowongan luas yang dibangun oleh Hamas di Gaza, terbukti “berhasil.”
Klaim ini merujuk pada langkah awal pemompaan air laut ke terowongan Hamas yang dilakukan IDF.
“Banjir terowongan memang telah dimulai, meskipun dalam kapasitas uji coba terbatas…,” dan “dipahami bahwa hal itu berhasil,” kata surat kabar itu Kamis (14/12/2023).
Tiga hari lalu, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) melaporkan kalau militer Israel sudah mulai memompa air laut ke terowongan yang digunakan oleh Hamas. Mengutip pejabat AS yang mengetahui operasi militer Israel, WSJ melaporkan, langkah untuk membanjiri terowongan dengan air dari Mediterania masih dalam tahap awal.
Juru bicara Menteri Pertahanan Israel menolak berkomentar dan mengatakan operasi militer soal terowongan dirahasiakan.
Namun ketika ditanya apakah taktik membanjiri terowongan berpotensi juga membunuh sandera Israel yang ditawan di Gaza oleh Hamas, juru bicara militer Israel Daniel Hagari menyiratkan kalau tahanan berada di lokasi lain.
Hagari menyebut, kalau militer Israel beroperasi berdasarkan informasi “intelijen” mengenai di mana tahanan Israel ditahan Hamas.
"IDF tidak akan mengambil tindakan yang merugikan Israel,” tambah Hagari. Dibangun Insinyur, Tiap Ancaman Sudah Diperhitungkan
Terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza terus dikembangkan Hamas, jadi tantangan bagi tentara Israel (Palestinian tunnel in Gaza.jpg)
Dalam konferensi pers lainnya di Beirut juga pada Kamis, pejabat senior Hamas, Osama Hamdan mengatakan kalau terowongan tersebut dibangun untuk menahan banjir. Dia menekankan, kalau rencana Israel untuk membanjiri air laut ke dalam infrastruktur bawah tanah tersebut, telah diperhitungkan.
“Terowongan tersebut dibangun oleh para insinyur terlatih dan terdidik yang mempertimbangkan semua kemungkinan serangan dari pihak pendudukan, termasuk pemompaan air,” kata Hamdan.
Hamdan menambahkan, jaringan bawah tanah adalah bagian integral dari perjuangan milisi perlawanan Palestina. "Dan semua konsekuensi serta serangan yang diperkirakan akan terjadi telah terjadi. telah diperhitungkan," kata dia.
Saat awal perang, pada Oktober, para pejabat Israel mengatakan kalau tentara IDF dalam keadaan apa pun tidak boleh mencoba memasuki terowongan.
Terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza terus dikembangkan Hamas, bikin Israel ketar-ketir (CNBC)
Masih Jauh dari Sukses
Laporan The Times of Israel ini muncul ketika Israel masih jauh dari kesuksesan untuk menghancurkan Hamas.
“Israel masih jauh dari menggulingkan Hamas. Mayoritas pejuangnya masih hidup, mereka masih memiliki roket,” kata Michael Millstein, pakar studi Palestina, pada 12 Desember.
Pertempuran terus terjadi antara Israel dan kelompok perlawanan Palestina di Gaza utara dan selatan, dan pejuang perlawanan menyergap pasukan Israel setiap hari.
Setidaknya 10 tentara Israel tewas di lingkungan Shujaiya di utara Gaza dan di tempat lain pada 12 Desember dalam penyergapan terkoordinasi yang dilakukan oleh Hamas dan kelompok lainnya. Media Israel menyebut penyergapan tersebut sebagai “salah satu yang paling mematikan” sejak perang darat dilancarkan pada akhir Oktober. Hingga kini sejumlah negara termasuk Amerika Serikat terus menyerukan gencatan senjata di Gaza, Palestina.
PENAMPAKAN Terowongan Bawah Tanah di Gaza, Bikin Israel Ketar-ketir Lumpuhkan Hamas: Panjang & Rumit
Berulang kali diserang oleh tentara Israel, pasukan Hamas di Gaza, Palestina terus memperbaiki diri dengan mengembangkan terowongan bawah tanah yang cukup kompleks dan rumit.
Sebuah terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza, Palestina tersebut menjadi taktik jitu Hamas untuk bertahan dan menyerang tentara Israel
Taktik tersebut terbukti cukup membuat pasukan Israel kerepotan dan ketar-ketir.
Pasalnya, Hamas bisa menyerang dan mundur dalam waktu singkat.
Untuk menjinakkan taktik Hamas yang menggunakan terowongan bawah tanah ini, Israel membuat analisis dan melakukan penelitian.
Dilansir TribunnewsMaker.com dari Jerussalem Post pada Sabtu, (28/10/2023), seorang ilmuwan Israel yang paling getol meneliti Terowongan Gaza buatan Hamas ini adalah Profesor Joel Roskin. Profesor Joel Roskin merupakan seorang ahli geomorfologi dan geologi di departemen geografi dan lingkungan Universitas Bar-Ilan, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Profesor Joel Roskin sudah menerbitkan studi tentang Terowongan Gaza berjudul 'Underground Warfare in the Gaza Strip and the Military Complexity of Combating It'. Studi tersebut berdasarkan pengalamannya sebagai kepala departemen penelitian medan pada 2000-an dan informasi yang dipublikasikan di media Israel.
Sebelum membahas studinya, Profesor Joel Roskin menjelaskan bahwa pembuatan terowongan bawah tanah di medan pertempuran sudah ada sejak ribuan tahun lalu.
Contohnya yang terdapat pada Prasasti Asur yang memperlihatkan unit teknik Raja Sargon dari Kerajaan Akkad (2.334 dan 2.279 Sebelum Masehi) meruntuhkan tembok kota musuh.
Menurut Profesor Joel Roskin, terowongan Gaza pada awalnya memiliki beberapa karakteristik dasar yang sama dengan situs penggalian lainnya di Israel dan di tempat lain di dunia, Tapi dalam perkembangannya, sistem terowongan Gaza ini mengalami pergeseran fungsi yang unik dan berbeda-beda. Keunikan dan perbedaan itu berhubungan dengan kondisi geologi, geopolitik dan geografi yang ada. Yang menarik tentang Hamas ini adalah laju pertumbuhan terowongannya yang begitu cepat dan modern.
Terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza terus dikembangkan Hamas, jadi tantangan bagi tentara Israel (mwi.westpoint.edu)
Bukan hanya ukuran tapi juga tujuannya untuk bertahan dan menyerang tentara Israel.
"Terowongan ini awalnya untuk menyelundupkan barang, berkembang jadi penyelundupan senjata, dan kemudian menjadi terowongan untuk menyerang dan bersembunyi," jelas Roskin, imbuhnya seperti dikutip dari Jerusalem Post.
Efektivitas terowongan bawah tanah ini mempermudah Hamas bergerak dalam menyerang dan bersembunyi.Sementara
Israel masih belum punya cara yang tepat untuk mengatasinya.
Terowongan Hamas bahkan bukan lagi sekadar rute transit dari satu titik ke titik lain, melainkan gua dan terowongan bawah tanah bertingkat yang rumit.
Terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza terus dikembangkan Hamas, jadi tantangan bagi tentara Israel (Palestinian tunnel in Gaza.jpg)
Di dalam terowongan tersebut terdapat berbagai cerukan-cerukan yang dijadikan sebagai kamar, aula, dan gudang.
Banyak lubang masuk ke 'kota' bawah tanah - terutama di bangunan tempat tinggal - berbentuk horisontal, vertikal, atau miring. Diasumsikan bahwa jaringan terowongan bertingkat yang luas sepanjang puluhan.
Profesor Joel Roskin menduga ada beberapa ratus kilometer tersebar di bawah Jalur Gaza.
Terowongan bawah tanah di Gaza terus dikembangkan Hamas, jadi tantangan bagi tentara Israel (24h.com.vn)
Hal ini membuat proses pemetaan terowongan menjadi sulit.
Bahkan pemetaan pun bisa jadi tidak akurat meski menggunakan teknologi satelit yang ada. Menurut Profesor Joel Roskin, Hamas secara konsisten belajar dan memperbaiki diri.
Mereka menggali terowongan yang lebih dalam, lebih besar, dan lebih panjang. Pada saat yang sama, sarana pendukung, komunikasi dan listrik, serta adaptasi manusia di dalamnya hampir sempurna. Mereka terus membangun sarana penunjang di dalam terowongan bawah tanah.
Lokasi pintu masuk dan keluar terowongan di daerah perkotaan memudahkan Hamas karena infrastruktur penting seperti listrik, air dan komunikasi berada di dekatnya.
Terowongan Gaza Jadi Tantangan Tersendiri bagi Pasukan Israel
"Konsep gerilya bawah tanah yang holistik ini mencakup terowongan logistik, strategis, dan taktis di samping metode pertempuran di atas tanah." ungkap Profesor Joel Roskin.
"Bawah tanah terintegrasi ke dalam semua aspek pertempuran Hamas, termasuk pos penembakan, pemusatan pasukan secara diam-diam." tambahnya. "Mungkin juga untuk mengangkut tahanan dan sandera serta untuk menahan mereka. Kondisi ini memang merupakan tantangan untuk serangan ofensif penuh IDF," pungkasnya.
Hingga kini, tentara Israel berusaha memecahkan teka-teki terowongan bawah tanah yang dikuasi Hamas tersebut.