TEHRAN – When Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted that 60 percent of Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip remain intact, he inadvertently confirmed what many had long suspected: Israel is failing to achieve its major military goals in Gaza.
After two years of brutal conflict, Israel claimed to have dismantled Hamas’ capabilities and destroyed its vast network of tunnels, known as the “Gaza Metro.”
Mr. Katz’s statement proves otherwise. Given that most of the tunnels still exist, despite widespread destruction, the Israeli operation is inadequate.
Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, vowing to eliminate Hamas and erase its underground network. Since then, more than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed and entire neighborhoods flattened. However, two years later, the tunnel is still continuing. This means Hamas’ main lines of defense and movement remain operational.
In a post on X, Katz acknowledged that destroying the tunnels has now become the military’s “core mission.” The Gaza Metro represents not only a tactical advantage but also the determination of a people who have endured years of siege and shelling.
The continued operation of the tunnels highlights a deeper truth: Israel’s war is not achieving its objectives. Although it has devastated civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and inflicted unimaginable suffering, it has not defeated Hamas. Rather, the conflict strengthened Palestinian solidarity and reinforced the belief that resistance, both above and below ground, is essential for survival.
Katz’s new focus on the tunnels shows that Zionist leaders are seeking new goals to justify their operations after the October 2025 ceasefire, which Israel repeatedly violated, failed to achieve their promised “total victory.”
For Palestinians, the enduring Gaza Metro is living proof that the resistance and Gaza itself have survived every attack from Israel.