Israel’s New Covert Weapon To Stop Hamas Tunnels: “Sponge Bombs”

In an effort to counter Hamas through its tunnel network—which was established in Gaza in 1987—Israel is conducting chemical grenade tests.

These explosive-free devices are used to block any openings in tunnels that could allow Hamas agents to escape. They are contained in a plastic container that is protective and has a metal partition separating two different liquids.

These devices were observed being used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in 2021 during drills close to the Gaza border. Specialist commandos from Israel’s Combat Engineering Corps, known as Yahalom, are one of the elite units assigned to the underground mission. One of the main factors influencing Hamas’s superior strength in Gaza over the Israeli-occupied West Bank is its tunnel network. With Israel’s withdrawal of troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 and Hamas’s election victory in 2006, tunnelling became less difficult.