The American Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli soldiers as saying that the Israeli army did not find a systematic solution to find the tunnels of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, stressing that removing resistance fighters from the tunnels remains the biggest challenge for the Israeli army.

Israeli soldiers confirmed to the newspaper that it would be very difficult to achieve the declared Israeli goal of “destroying Hamas,” expressing their concern that the accumulation of what they described as “tactical victories” may not lead to a lasting victory in Gaza.

They added to the newspaper that victory over Hamas will only be achieved by eliminating the tunnel network, which seems impossible.

The Wall Street Journal quoted an Israeli soldier working in Khan Yunis as saying that many soldiers wonder about the goal of their efforts in the absence of a clear plan, especially since the Israeli government does not have an accurate post-war plan for Gaza.

Hamas tactics

Israeli military personnel also said that Hamas is trying to kill Israeli forces by placing booby traps in buildings throughout Gaza, according to the newspaper.

The military explained that Hamas' combat tactics include using tools ranging from rocket-propelled grenades to recorded voices of detainees pleading for help to lure Israeli forces into traps.

The newspaper reported that teams of Hamas fighters carried out coordinated attacks, with one group trying to prevent an advancing Israeli unit, while another group attacked it from the flank to inflict casualties, then they disappeared into the destroyed buildings or into the maze of tunnels.

Israeli leaders and analysts told the newspaper that Hamas learned lessons during the humanitarian truce last November and turned to hit-and-run attacks by small groups of two or three men, and sometimes just one individual.

Israeli officials estimate that Hamas has built about 563 kilometers of tunnels under Gaza, measuring 48 kilometers in length and 12 kilometers in width.