War is often fought on the ground, in the air, and at sea, but there is another battlefield that is just as crucial, one that’s hidden beneath the earth. Tunnel warfare—a strategy that has roots in the Vietnam War—is once again at the forefront, playing a significant role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
The similarities between the Viet Cong’s use of tunnels during the Vietnam War and the tactics employed by Hezbollah and Hamas in modern warfare cannot be overlooked. Both historical and current conflicts reveal how tunnels are used not just for survival but for strategic advantage, defying conventional warfare and frustrating superior military forces.
A Glimpse into History: Tunnel Warfare in Vietnam
Imagine the dense jungles of Vietnam. Above ground, U.S. soldiers were waging a fierce battle, armed with advanced weaponry, helicopters, and relentless firepower. But below the surface, a hidden war was unfolding. The Viet Cong, vastly outnumbered and outgunned, had turned to the earth for refuge. They created an intricate network of tunnels spanning hundreds of miles, often right beneath U.S. military bases. These tunnels weren’t just makeshift shelters—they were fully operational command centers, hospitals, and supply depots.
The Cu Chi Tunnels, in particular, became a symbol of Vietnamese resistance. Stretching deep into the jungle, they allowed the Viet Cong to launch surprise attacks, ambush enemy soldiers, and then disappear underground like ghosts. The U.S. military, despite its overwhelming technological superiority, struggled to combat this unseen enemy. It was a nightmare scenario: every step forward could trigger a deadly trap, and every village could conceal a hidden labyrinth beneath the ground.
Fast Forward to Today: Israel’s Fight Against Hamas and Hezbollah
Now, turn your attention to the Middle East. In Gaza, Hezbollah, and Hamas have adopted a strategy reminiscent of the Viet Cong. While these militant groups lack the sheer firepower and military infrastructure of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), they have developed their own extensive networks of tunnels, hiding them beneath cities, farmlands, and even civilian structures like hospitals and schools.
For Hamas, these tunnels serve multiple purposes: they are used for smuggling weapons, transporting fighters, storing supplies, and launching surprise attacks against Israeli forces. Known as the “Gaza Metro,” these tunnels are often shielded by densely populated areas, making it extremely difficult for Israel to target them without risking civilian casualties.
The parallels to Vietnam are striking. Just as the Viet Cong evaded detection, Hamas and Hezbollah use tunnels to maintain an element of surprise, emerge at unexpected locations, and force the IDF into close-quarter combat. Israel, like the U.S. in Vietnam, finds itself combating a faceless enemy that can seemingly vanish underground, only to reappear somewhere else entirely.
The Challenges of Tunnel Warfare
In Vietnam, the U.S. had to resort to sending “tunnel rats”—brave soldiers tasked with crawling into the tunnels armed with little more than a flashlight and a pistol. Similarly, the IDF has developed specialized units to locate, map, and destroy Hamas and Hezbollah tunnels, often in high-risk operations that require soldiers to enter these cramped, dangerous spaces.
But even with modern technology—such as ground-penetrating radar, surveillance drones, and robotics—detecting and neutralizing tunnels is incredibly challenging. The militants’ use of civilian areas as cover complicates the situation further, as Israel must navigate the difficult balance between military objectives and humanitarian considerations.
Why Tunnels Matter in Modern Warfare
Tunnel warfare serves a distinct strategic purpose in asymmetrical conflicts like those in Vietnam and Gaza. When one side possesses overwhelming military superiority, the weaker side must find ways to offset that imbalance. For Hezbollah and Hamas, tunnels offer several advantages:
- Surprise and Ambush: Much like the Viet Cong, Hamas fighters can appear suddenly in Israeli territory or behind enemy lines, launching attacks when least expected.
- Protection from Airstrikes: While Israel boasts one of the most sophisticated air defense systems in the world, tunnels provide militants with protection from bombardment and surveillance.
- Psychological Warfare: The unpredictability of tunnel warfare wears down the opposing forces. Israeli soldiers, like their U.S. counterparts in Vietnam, face the constant fear of the unknown—any area could be hiding a tunnel entrance, and every advance could lead to an ambush.
- Logistics and Smuggling: For Hamas, these tunnels are lifelines, facilitating the movement of weapons, supplies, and fighters under the noses of Israeli forces.
Historical Echoes: Lessons from Vietnam
The U.S. struggled to deal with the Viet Cong’s tunnels in part because they underestimated the extent and sophistication of the network. In Vietnam, the U.S. deployed bulldozers, explosives, and even napalm in attempts to collapse tunnel systems. But the tunnels were often too deep, too interconnected, and too well-hidden. The U.S. faced constant frustration as tunnels were rebuilt as quickly as they were destroyed.
Similarly, Israel has used a combination of airstrikes, ground operations, and intelligence to target Hamas tunnels. In recent years, the IDF has invested heavily in tunnel detection technologies and anti-tunnel barriers, seeking to counter the threat. Yet, just as in Vietnam, tunnels are rebuilt, rerouted, and reinforced, creating an ongoing challenge.
Conclusion: A Repeating Pattern
The Vietnam War was a conflict of endurance, and in many ways, so is the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Tunnel warfare symbolizes the resourcefulness and resilience of the outmatched party in asymmetrical warfare. What the Viet Cong achieved beneath the jungles of Southeast Asia, Hamas and Hezbollah are now attempting beneath the cities of Gaza and Lebanon.
The lessons of Vietnam remind us that while tunnel warfare can be a highly effective strategy for the weaker force, it also prolongs the conflict and increases the suffering of civilians. As Israel continues to battle this underground threat, the similarities to past wars serve as a haunting reminder that even in the 21st century, history has a way of repeating itself.
