American Warning to Israel about Hezbollah Tunnels

Joseph Votel, the former commander of U.S. Central Command in Iraq, discussed the complexities of tunnel warfare in the Washington Post. He explained to Israel what awaits it as it approaches Hamas strongholds based on his experience. He stated, "During my military service in January 2019 in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, and as the commander of U.S. Central Command, I informally visited Israel. Israeli officials spoke to me about their security concerns. During that visit, I was taken down a Hezbollah tunnel inside Israeli territory, and we spent about 10 minutes exploring the tunnel. It was an impressive engineering feat; I could move easily, and the ceilings and walls were reinforced with thick wood, giving me a sense of security and durability. I remember encountering improvised explosive devices in Iraq, which means that groups similar to Hamas examine the vulnerabilities of their adversaries and skillfully utilize available technology and materials to achieve their goals. This is what happened in Hamas's attack on October 7. Now that Israel has bombarded Gaza and surrounded it with tanks, aided by intense airstrikes, the most challenging phase is approaching Hamas strongholds. Dealing with the tunnel network will be extremely complicated and exhausting. These tunnels serve as command, supply, and weapon centers. The presence of hundreds of hostages within the tunnels will limit the army's ability to maneuver. The information space will be filled with news of hostages and Palestinian civilians, as seen in the horrifying scenes after the bombing of the Jabalia camp, where news of civilian casualties spreads like wildfire, fueling emotions. The United States learned in Fallujah, Mosul, and Raqqa that utilizing technology may reduce civilian harm but does not prevent it. Perhaps Israel can confront this significant challenge to maintain international support."