Israeli Defense Minister Threatens to Destroy Hamas Tunnels After Hostage Release

Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has announced that the Israeli army will begin an operation to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip, following the implementation of a hostage exchange agreement with the movement.

In a statement issued during the third day of the temporary ceasefire, Gallant said that the destruction of the tunnels will be carried out “within an international mechanism and under US supervision,” stressing that this operation will be “one of the major challenges after the release of the hostages.”

The minister added, “I have ordered the army to prepare for this task,” referring to what he described as the “terrorist tunnels” belonging to Hamas, which are used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the movement’s military wing.

Gallant’s statements come as the parties prepare to implement the first phase of the hostage exchange agreement, which was announced on Thursday, and provides for Hamas to release 48 hostages who were detained during the October 7, 2023 attack, in exchange for Israel’s release of 250 security detainees, in addition to 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of military operations.

Hamas had confirmed on Saturday that the release of the hostages would take place on Monday, while details of the implementation of the second phase of the agreement are still under negotiation, amid indications from the Israeli Defense Minister that the operation is part of the plan to “disarm Hamas” included in the US initiative, which was previously proposed by President Donald Trump.

In contrast, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to its arms, with Hamas leader Hussam Badran describing the arms as a “natural right,” adding that any discussion about the resistance’s arms must be within the framework of a comprehensive political solution that leads to the end of the conflict.