Israel ready to Destroy Hamas Tunnels After Hostages release

Darwin, October 13 —

Israel has announced plans to destroy the remaining underground tunnel network in Gaza immediately after the release of hostages held by Hamas. The operation will be carried out with approval from the United States, Israeli authorities said on Sunday.

According to France24, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the tunnel demolition will take place under the supervision of an international monitoring mission. The mission will be led by countries involved in brokering the Gaza ceasefire three days ago.

“The biggest challenge for Israel after the release of hostages will be to destroy all Hamas tunnels in Gaza,” Katz said in a statement. “I have instructed the army to make the necessary preparations for this.”

Read also: Hamas to Release Israeli Hostages on Monday: Trump

Reports indicate that Hamas operates an extensive underground tunnel network across Gaza, allowing it to evade Israeli surveillance and launch surprise attacks. Some tunnels are believed to extend into Israeli territory. After Hamas’s surprise cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza, destroying many of these tunnels.

Katz confirmed that the remaining tunnels will be demolished as part of a U.S.-backed plan aimed at disarming Hamas and reducing its military capabilities. This will mark the next phase following the current ceasefire arrangement.

Meanwhile, Hamas has agreed to the first phase of the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of this phase, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since Friday.

Under the agreement, Hamas will release 48 Israeli hostages on Monday in exchange for Israel freeing 250 Palestinian prisoners — some of whom were convicted of deadly attacks. Additionally, Israel will release 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza.

However, Hamas has not yet agreed to full disarmament. On Sunday, senior Hamas official Husam Badran said that “the second phase of the American plan involves many complications and challenges.”