Closing Gaps - Before Rehabilitation: US Takes Control of Gaza Tunnels

The US is establishing four new concrete plants in the Gaza envelope to seal Hamas tunnels and build an American military base. The plants will operate under US administration, amid criticism over the lack of an orderly IDF plan and the transfer of control to Americans before dismantling Hamas.

The United States and Israel are advancing the establishment of four new concrete plants in the Gaza envelope, aiming to meet growing demand for sealing Hamas tunnels and building a huge American military base near Camp Re'im, which will serve international stabilization forces (ISF). Existing plants at Kerem Shalom and Nahal Oz operate under cash flow difficulties and budget freezes, without a comprehensive IDF work plan. Plant workers have been notified of a transition to American administration regarding salary and control. Thousands of kilometers of tunnels remain in the Strip, some still used by Hamas. The sealing method involves high-pressure concrete injection; over 30,000 cubic meters of concrete were injected into the giant tunnel in Rafah. The move draws sharp criticism: MK Amit Halevi warns that "the temporary will become permanent" and that there is no comprehensive plan to defeat Hamas. The Gaza Envelope Forum claims this is "creeping rehabilitation" endangering residents and abandoning the war's most important goal. The IDF stated that no cross-border tunnels into Israel are currently known, and forces continue systematically locating and destroying underground infrastructure.