WSJ: Israel destroyed only 20% of Hamas tunnels in Gaza
Category
World
Publication date

WSJ: Israel destroyed only 20% of Hamas tunnels in Gaza

tunnel

80% of the vast network of Hamas tunnels under the Gaza Strip are still functioning after weeks of Israeli efforts to destroy them. This hinders the achievement of Israel's main goals in the war.

How many Hamas tunnels have been destroyed in Gaza

According to Israeli officials, preventing Hamas from using the tunnels is central to Israel's efforts to capture senior Hamas leaders and rescue Israeli hostages.

Israel said it would strike hospitals and other critical infrastructure to capture the tunnels.

According to the Israelis, disabling the tunnels, which are 300 miles long, roughly the size of half of the New York underground system, would deprive Hamas of relatively secure storage of weapons and ammunition, hiding places for fighters, command and control centres for its leadership and the ability to manoeuvre through the territory.

Israel tried to clear the tunnels by various methods, including installing pumps to flood them with water from the Mediterranean Sea, destroying the tunnels with airstrikes and liquid explosives, searching with dogs and robots, and destroying entrances and raids by highly trained soldiers.

What is known about those who died in the Hamas tunnel

The Israel Defense Forces reported on December 25 that they had found the bodies of five hostages in an underground Hamas tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip city of Jabalia.

The dead were taken to Israel for burial. They include Warrant Officer Ziv Dado, Sergeant Ron Sherman, Corporal Nick Beiser, and civilians Eden Zacharia and Elia Toledano.

The Israeli military gained control over the area of the Jabalia camp, one of the operational centres of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. There, they dismantled the underground headquarters.

The underground headquarters of Hamas included two levels: the first was about ten meters deep, and the second was tens of meters deep. A network of tunnels with many routes was used to control the battle and the movement of militants.

Category
Politics
Publication date

US-Russia talks: Zelensky's first reaction has emerged

Zelensky changed his plans because of the US and Russia
Source:  online.ua

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed that he had postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia until March amid talks between Russia and the United States that took place in Riyadh on February 18.

Points of attention

  • The President of Ukraine wants to hold talks with the American delegation in Kyiv.
  • Zelensky stressed that the US and Russia do not have the right to make decisions about ending the war without Ukraine.

Zelensky changed his plans because of the US and Russia

The journalist reminded Volodymyr Zelensky about the current negotiations between the Russian Federation and the United States, emphasizing that on February 18, the Russian delegation plans to leave for Moscow, while the Americans plan to remain in Saudi Arabia.

Against this background, she asked whether the President of Ukraine plans to meet with American partners during his visit to Saudi Arabia on February 19.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he has postponed his visit, and he expects to hold talks with the American delegation in Kyiv.

We were not invited to this Russian-American meeting in Saudi Arabia, it was a surprise for us. We received the information from the media... We want no one to decide anything behind our backs. I think it's fair. Any country has a bilateral track with other countries, please..

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

According to the head of state, the US and Russia can discuss whatever they want, but they do not have the right to make decisions without Ukraine about ending the war.

"I will not go to Saudi Arabia. We have contacted our partners. I have good relations with Crown Prince Muhammad. We have just contacted and agreed that on March 10 I will be on an official visit. And the United States, we are expecting them in Kyiv."

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