Israel's New Approach to Tunnels: A Paradigm Shift in Underground Warfare

Spencer examines how IDF operations in Gaza forced a generational change in how modern militaries approach the subterranean domain. The IDF — until October 7, 2023 the world's best-prepared force for underground warfare — had to rapidly evolve its detection, mapping, clearing and destruction methods against a 350–450-mile, $1B+ Hamas tunnel network used as the foundation of an entire political-military strategy.

The piece argues this constitutes a 'paradigm shift' and that culture, not just technology, is the binding constraint: U.S. Army doctrine still treats subterranean spaces as obstacles to be avoided, where the IDF treats them as a domain of maneuver.

“Their responses to these challenges signal a paradigm shift in modern approaches to underground warfare.”

“U.S. soldiers 'should avoid entering and operating in subterranean environments when possible.' If entering cannot be avoided, the doctrine describes the primary tasks as clearing and securing the subterranean environment.”