In 2018, Legal Insurrection reported on the use of a concrete slurry, which the Israel Defense Forces used as part of the continuing battle to neutralize Hezbollah attack tunnels dug from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.
The Israelis took this idea one step further, creating the “Sponge Bomb” to close Hamas attack tunnels.
The Israel Defense Force could deploy the new handheld devices to negotiate Hamas’ labyrinthine tunnel system –and trap any hidden fighters in them once they launch their long-awaited ground invasion into Gaza, according to reports.The sponge bombs consist of chemical compounds based around a liquid emulsion.It can be thrown into a tunnel where it swiftly expands and hardens.The device would leave Hamas fighters with no escape and allow Israeli commandos to secure safe routes to travel while searching for hostages.
It is difficult to determine how useful these devices will be, as there have been mixed results and chemical exposure incidents when units have been tested.
Troops are said to have used the handheld devices at the Israeli military’s ‘mini Gaza’, a mock-up of the urban warren where they will soon be expected to fight constructed at the Urban Warfare Training Center in the Negev desert.According to the Telegraph, the bombs feature a metal partition separating the two volatile liquids, which immediately react when they touch.The material is said to be so hazardous that Israeli troops were blinded during practise sessions.Foam and even slime have often been considered for their potential military utility, but results have been modest.
Tunnels present unique operational challenges when the units are attempted to be activated remotely. Throwbots, sturdy spy robots that transmit audio and video to a remote control unit, are a potential option for use in attempts to deploy sponge bombs.
Adding to the challenge, there is essential an entire city that has been built underneath the streets of Gaza.
Micro-drones have also been proposed for reconnaissance, their purpose is to aid troops in navigating the intricate tunnel system while minimising potential risks.However, the operation of robots and drones within the underground passages has encountered several obstacles, including weak signals and navigation difficulties. Various technological adaptations, such as throwbots and micro-drones for reconnaissance, have been suggested, aiming to aid troops in navigating the intricate tunnel system while minimizing potential risks.As per Former Israeli military brigadier general Amir Avivi, “There is a whole city all over Gaza underneath with depths of 40-50 metres. There are bunkers and headquarters and storage and, of course, they are connected to more than a thousand rocket launching positions.”Hamas is believed to have dug some of the Gaza tunnel network decades ago, back in the mid-1990s. As per reports, these tunnels have evolved into a multifaceted infrastructure. Much of it stretches under civilian structures, and has exit/entry points in civilian areas.
Any innovation that can make it easier for the IDF to extract hostages, destroy Hamas, and give the underground “city” the Carthage treatment would be helpful. Better warfare through chemistry. Hopefully, the IDF can fine-tune the challenges behind the sponge bombs.
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