Israeli Army: Rafah Tunnels are Complex and Intricate

SadaNews Translation - The Israeli army stated on Monday that its forces present in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza are facing a complex and intricate network of tunnels that extends over several kilometers.

This statement came during a tour organized for journalists from various Hebrew media outlets in the city of Rafah, to inform them about the developments in the ongoing operation to destroy what remains of the tunnels and pursue Hamas elements within them.

Brigadier General Oded Ganun, commander of the Golani Brigade, said: "The main mission is to destroy the enemy or capture them, and we continue our efforts to locate them in the area." SadaNews also translated.

According to a reporter from Yedioth Ahronoth, the network of tunnels in the Rafah area is extremely complex, and the militants remaining inside, including the commander of the East Rafah Battalion, had prepared in advance for a long stay within those tunnels. However, over time, as the Israeli army approaches their locations, they are running out of supplies and are forced to surface to look for food and water, as they are besieged inside.

The Israeli army estimates that there are dozens of militants in the remaining tunnel pockets in Rafah.

Brigadier General Ganun stated that "the forces are working day and night using various methods and techniques to find them... We are using all means, aerial and ground... The field conditions allow us all the options we want, and this enables us to use all types of fire here, and we act accordingly... The matter is simple and straightforward: either they surrender or we kill them all."

Ganun added: "This is a complex mission, requiring Hamas terrorists to be underground... If the aerial attack were easy, we would have executed it, but the safety of our forces is an integral part of the mission."

Regarding the duration of the required operation, he added: "It seems that there has been progress in recent days... It may take a few days or weeks, and we are on the mission, doing our utmost as quickly as possible and in the safest manner."

He pointed out that the Israeli army, as part of the operation carried out in the area last week, destroyed hundreds of meters of tunnels underground and attacked more than 60 targets, among which were about 15 tunnel openings and about 40 buildings used by organizations in Gaza.