Watan-Activists on social media have shared a video clip featuring the well-known Kuwaiti preacher, Dr. Tareq Al-Tuwairi, responding to those attempting to cast doubt on the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, and demonize it with allegations promoted by the occupation and its media, supported by Arab Zionists. The controversy revolves around the construction of tunnels in Gaza and the alleged neglect of building shelters for Palestinians.
In a recorded statement posted on his ‘X’ account, Tareq Al-Tuwairi mentioned that he was informed by someone about individuals raising suspicions regarding Hamas tunnels in Gaza. These individuals claimed that the tunnels were larger than the London Underground, suggesting, according to them, that Hamas had been preparing for a long time. Al-Tuwairi addressed the question: Why didn’t Hamas provide shelters for the people and focused only on itself and its fighters?
الدكتور طارق الطواري والإجابة عن شبهة لماذا لم تبن حماس ملاجئ للناس تحت الارض كما بنت الانفاق لجيشها pic.twitter.com/qk9SYVOEdX
— أ.د.طارق الطواري (@drtareqaltawary) December 5, 2023
Tariq Al-Tuwairi Responds to Suspicion Regarding Al-Qassam Tunnels in Gaza
The Kuwaiti preacher addressed the allegation by stating that no country in the world builds an entire city underground. Even during World War II, when Britain fought Germany, there was no underground city; instead, tunnels were used.
Al-Tuwairi emphasized that shelters worldwide are designated safe areas, and public shelters, recognized in international law, are not to be targeted, similar to hospitals, places of worship like mosques and churches, and schools.
He concluded, ‘Do not blame Hamas, as it did not build an underground city. There is no such thing as underground cities, not even in America or anywhere in the world. There are internationally agreed-upon public spaces, such as shelters, that are not subject to bombardment.’
Dr. Tariq Al-Tuwairi added that constructing an underground facility requires high costs, maintenance, ventilation, and drainage. It is within Hamas’s right to take precautions, especially since it is in a state of war. Many of the tunnels in Gaza were built by Israelis, as they have admitted, particularly beneath Al-Shifa Hospital when they occupied Gaza during a certain period.
Hamas Tunnels: Israel’s Nightmare
The British newspaper “Financial Times” reported, citing informed sources, that the Israeli army estimates the network of tunnels of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, in Gaza to be larger than the London Underground tunnel network.
Quoting a security official in the occupying state, the newspaper added that the term ‘tunnels’ does not adequately describe what Hamas has constructed beneath the Gaza Strip; rather, they are underground cities.
Financial Times noted that the resistance in Gaza has learned from previous attacks aimed at destroying the tunnels in the region.
The report clarified that the Israeli government invests resources in finding a solution to destroy the tunnels, but the process resembles science fiction.
Yossi Feldshuh, an 85-year-old hostage released by Hamas in October, described the tunnel network as a “sophisticated spiderweb” with a length of “kilometers” and a “large hall” capable of accommodating 25 people. Tunnels are an ancient military combat technique; Jewish rebels used them in a famous revolt against Roman rule over 2000 years ago, and similarly, Viet Cong fighters employed them to defeat American forces in the Vietnam War.
