Israel is gearing up for a possible ground offensive of Gaza. Underneath the Palestinian enclave sits a labyrinth of tunnels used by Hamas as a key military asset. These tunnels were used by Hamas militants in Israel’s seven-week war on Gaza in 2014 allowing for Hamas to hide weapons, equipment and troops.

WSJ’s Rory Jones – who visited them in 2014 – explains how they pose a unique challenge to Israel and could make urban combat costly for both Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians.

0:00 Hamas’s underground tunnels
0:47 The tunnels’ design and function
2:45 Challenges in combating the tunnels
4:25 Israeli hostages in tunnels

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