Hamas Burrows into Gaza’s “Metro” as IDF Prepares for Major Offensive
Israel prepares for a massive Gaza City assault amid a labyrinth of Hamas tunnels, civilian evacuations, and two years of devastation, as the IDF braces for its most complex urban operation yet.
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As Israel gears up for a major military operation in Gaza City, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots II,” the IDF faces a formidable challenge: Hamas’s intricate underground “metro” network. An IDF official told CNN that Hamas, aware of the impending assault, is using the time to fortify its defenses, with an October 7, 2025, deadline set for evacuating nearly one million Gazans from the city, marking two years since the war begaan, per a recent article by Ynet.
“Hamas knows we’re coming and is preparing,” the official said, noting uncertainty about the number of Hamas fighters in the city. The terror group’s tunnel system, described as “far more complex than anticipated,” includes strategic command centers, branching pathways, and tactical tunnels for rapid movement and surprise attacks. The IDF, which has yet to maneuver deep into Gaza City during nearly two years of conflict, plans to evacuate civilians before launching airstrikes on previously untouched urban targets due to population density.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently called Gaza City one of Hamas’ last “strongholds,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz labeled it the “capital of Hamas,” threatening to “open the gates of hell.” The operation follows tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders, signaling a massive mobilization.
CNN reports that Gaza City, once the Strip’s economic hub, lies in ruins after relentless IDF strikes. Residents, now hiding in rubble or tent camps, face lawlessness, with Hamas operatives largely absent, hiding to avoid elimination. “[Hamas] has no control; it’s not like the old days,” said resident Abu Mohammed, an anti-Hamas Gazan who withheld his full name for safety. He described Hamas’s sudden appearances “out of nowhere,” with no fixed bases and secretive communication methods.
With Hamas’s offices and police stations destroyed, the group’s grip has weakened, but its tunnel network remains a lethal wildcard as the IDF prepares for a high-stakes urban offensive.