Israel: It will completely clear the Gaza Tunnel after the hostages are released

Israel said it would clear the remaining Hamas tunnel network in Gaza within the framework of the "international mechanism" led by the United States after the hostages were released.

AFP reported that Israeli Defense Minister Katz said in a statement on Sunday (October 12) : "After the hostage release phase ends, the major challenge Israel faces will be to destroy all Hamas terrorist tunnels in Gaza."

Katz pointed out that the military has been ordered to get ready for carrying out this mission. According to him, the clearance of the remaining tunnels will be advanced as part of Hamas' disarmament and demilitarization process in the subsequent stages of the ceasefire plan supported by the US.

Hamas has long been building a vast network of underground tunnels in Gaza, which not only facilitates activities beyond its reconnaissance in Israel but also has led to tunnels crossing the border protection line and entering Israeli territory, serving as raid routes. Since the Hamas cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a two-year-long conflict, the Israeli army has destroyed a large number of tunnels, but Katz emphasized that there are still "remaining" tunnels that need to be completely removed.

The current ceasefire plan has entered its first stage and has facilitated a temporary truce and hostage exchange: According to the arrangement, 48 Israeli hostages should be released on Monday (the 13th), while Israel plans to release about 250 prisoners listed as "national security prisoners" and about 1,700 detained Gaza residents.

Nevertheless, Hamas is resistant to the demand for disarmament. Hossam Badran, a senior figure of the organization, said on Sunday that the second phase of the ceasefire plan "contains many complexities and difficulties". This indicates that the subsequent implementation of the agreement still faces significant uncertainties.