The Extent of the Hamas Tunnels under Gaza takes Israel by Surprise

Israel was aware that Hamas militants were creating a network of tunnels underneath Gaza in recent years but the extent and sophistication of the network and its potential threat has taken the Israeli military by surprise, Israeli military experts say.

Before the announcement of a 72-hour cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed Thursday to complete the destruction of the tunnel network. Israel said it has identified about 32 tunnels and destroyed more than half since it launched a ground offensive to dismantle them on July 17.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it would take several more days to complete the destruction of all known tunnels.

Israel began its military strikes on July 8 in response to rocket fire from Gaza, but the IDF said the primary mission of the fight had shifted to demolishing Hamas' tunnels, which pose a greater threat to Israel because the U.S.-designated terrorist group uses them to sneak militants into Israel and attack troops or civilians.

"This is a strategic threat," said Yossi Alpher, a military analyst and former Israeli intelligence official. He said Israel's intelligence services knew of the tunnels but didn't recognize the potential threat they posed until the current conflict started.

"In intelligence, there is known facts and then interpreting their strategic impact," he said.

Most of the incoming rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, but the threat from militants sneaking into Israel is harder to detect. Earlier this week, five Israeli soldier were killed on the Gaza border by militants who emerged from a tunnel.

Last week, the IDF said it killed 10 militants who emerged from a tunnel and attempted to infiltrate a kibbutz.

In addition to infiltrating Israel, the tunnels are used by Hamas to hide weapons, move militants and communicate. Most tunnels are reinforced by concrete, and some have rails for moving supplies. Dozens of small access points have been discovered, including at least one inside a mosque, according to the IDF.

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