Deceived By Israel, Hundreds Of Hamas Fighters Died In Gaza Underground Tunnels

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Sebastian Baryli)

JAKARTA - Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem, claimed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon were aware of the IDF (Israeli military) attack on the 'Metro' underground tunnel in Gaza, Palestine.

Qassem said this attack was carried out by the IDF during Operation Guardian of the Walls in the 11-day armed clash with the Hamas group in May, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post from Maariv, Saturday, July 10.

This statement is part of an interview aired on a Hezbollah-affiliated television channel last Thursday night.

Sheikh Naim Qassem claimed to have known about the propaganda of Israel's ground operations, after obtaining information on the results of intelligence coordination work with Palestinians in Gaza.

During Operation Wall Guard, Israel destroyed a network of underground tunnels known as the 'Metro' and allegedly did this by diverting international attention through hoax information.

The IDF is said to have carried out hoax information regarding the imminent ground invasion. The hope is that this information will encourage Hamas fighters who are moving 'underground' to enter the tunnel.

The misinformation 'successfully' got Hamas fighters into the tunnels, causing about 300-400 members of the Hamas group to be killed by Israeli soldiers according to Maariv, although the plan was not implemented to completion and the death toll was less than expected.

During the military operation, a number of rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon, although Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for any of them.

In addition, a Hezbollah member was killed by IDF fire when protesters tried to storm the borders with Lebanon and Israel during the operation.

To note, during 11 days of armed clashes between Israel and Hamas in May, 254 Palestinians were killed, including 39 women and 66 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health on May 25, citing Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.