US Takes Control of Tunnel Sealing in Gaza: New Concrete Plants and Military Base
Amid budget constraints and the lack of a structured IDF plan, the US is launching four new concrete plants on the Gaza border. The goal is to seal deep tunnels and construct a major military base for international stabilization forces.
The United States and Israel are promoting the establishment of four additional concrete plants in the Gaza envelope to meet the growing demand for sealing Hamas tunnels and to construct a giant military base intended for the International Stabilization Forces (ISF). The need for these plants stems from the massive quantities of concrete required for both objectives.
Currently, the system is operating under cash flow difficulties. Concrete plants are frequently halted due to budget issues, which dramatically impacts the ongoing ability to seal underground routes. In practice, the IDF lacks a structured, comprehensive plan for sealing all discovered tunnels, with operations conducted according to a rapid, limited budget.
As part of the transfer of the mandate for plant operation and financing to the US, employees have been notified that they will become staff of the American administration. Thousands of kilometers of tunnels remain in the Gaza Strip, some still utilized by Hamas's terror wing, and where hostages were previously held.
It should be noted that there is no condition regarding a transition to phase B of the 20-point plan, as this initiative concerns filling tunnels in territory under IDF control, not general reconstruction.
Liquid Concrete Under High Pressure
The destruction method involves pumping liquid concrete under high pressure directly into underground routes. For instance, sealing a tunnel in Rafah required over 30,000 cubic meters of concrete, while another in the north required 20,000 cubic meters, pumped through a dedicated multi-kilometer pipe system.
While some tunnels are destroyed via explosives, concrete pumping is more effective for deep, reinforced structures. Current production at Kerem Shalom and Nahal Oz is insufficient to meet existing needs.
In recent months, a new major consumer has emerged: the giant base being built near the Re'im camp. This facility is intended to house joint headquarters for monitoring the Strip in the "day after Hamas" and to serve as the headquarters for the International Stabilization Force (ISF).
"The Temporary Will Become Permanent"
These plans have drawn sharp criticism from Knesset member Amit Halevi, who argues: "Concrete is an endless event. We are pouring billions, and Hamas continues to dig." Halevi warns that establishing permanent infrastructure could invite international pressure to use these facilities for reconstruction purposes outside of Israeli control.
IDF Statement
The IDF stated it "continues to act systematically to locate, investigate, and destroy Hamas's underground infrastructure based on ongoing intelligence. Currently, there are no known tunnels crossing into Israeli territory. Southern Command engineering forces have been operating continuously for two and a half years to remove threats and damage Hamas's terror infrastructure."
"Creeping Rehabilitation"
The Gaza Envelope Forum responded: "The process of starting a creeping rehabilitation, even in partial form, endangers residents of the envelope. We see control over the territory being slowly transferred to the American administration while Hamas has not been dismantled. Any action advancing agreement stages without defeating Hamas is dangerous for the State of Israel and strengthens Hamas."
