What is Israel's new secret weapon 'sponge bombs' to be used during Ground Offensive?

IDF has unveiled a new weapon to target the complex underground networks that run in the strongholds of Hamas in Gaza. It is referred to as the “sponge bomb.” The device is encased within a protective plastic container and has an engineered metal barrier that divides two distinct liquids that would spread into an expanding foam upon activation. The “sponge bombs” have been closely guarded by the IDF, the Israeli military.

“Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them,” the IDF said in a post X.

'Sponge bombs' to be used on 'Gaza subway'

Israeli troops plan to use "sponge bombs" which are designed to fight Hamas during the all out Ground Offensive in Gaza. Israel blinded its own soldiers during the tests, reports suggest. The novel “sponge bombs” will be Tel Aviv’s secret weapon in its fight on the network of Hamas tunnels under Gaza, known as the  so-called "Gaza subway.” These networks of complex tunnels that run under the civilian infrastructure including the "Shifaa" hospital situated in the Gaza Strip.

Operational Update with IDF Spokesperson https://t.co/3DenBv8hnS

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. 
Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them. pic.twitter.com/7M4ZqjFyYs

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

These ‘netwoks of tunnels’ are used by the terrorist organization Hamas to direct their activities,, IDF said, as it showed a simulator of the complexes. The tunnel that reaches the hospital allows entrance to the Hamas headquarters without going through the hospital, the Israeli military said.

Inside, Hamas internal security control center is situated, which is widely staffed with armed men who are trained for routine and emergency situations. Hamas headquarters are also located in these underground subways,  which are used to target rocket fire, directing forces, storing IMD, weapons and ammunitions, as per IDF’s press conference.

The entrants of the tunnels are laden with booby traps. This is where Hamas held 200 hostages including foreigners which has made the rescue operation challenging for Israel’s military.

“Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are testing chemical bombs that do not contain explosives but are used to seal gaps or tunnel entrances through which Hamas brigades can exit,” according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Israeli soldiers tested the “sponge bomb” in 2021 by setting up a mock tunnel system at the Tze'Elim army base near the Gaza border and conducted drills.

When thrown at the tunnel entrance, the liquids inside the capsules will expand rapidly, and harden, closing the tunnel entrance. The IDF engineering units, and tunnel reconnaissance units, were deployed, grouped, and equipped with ground and air sensors, ground penetrating radar, and special drilling systems to locate the tunnels, according to newspaper.