On a completely different topic, and I hope dogmush can chime in, but what tactics are used to destroy deep tunnels in built-up civilian areas? I have been reading a lot about the extent and construction of the Hamas tunnels, and it seems like a tough nut to crack.
You got a couple different choices, depending on your aims and security on the ground.
Pump smoke in to find the vents/entrances like they are doing. As mentioned Israel has that foamy superglue stuff for the entrances. One reason you kill power is to stop, and/or make super obvious the ventilation infrastructure so you can take that out. I have read that we provided Israel with at least some
GBU-72/B for hitting deep targets. In Afghanistan the US made good use of thermobarics detonated at the entrance of caves to use up all the oxygen. Those are all kinda stand-off techniques using aircraft.
On the ground, engineers can find and blow the entrances if they are secure enough. If you find an entrance or vent shaft there are smaller fuel/air explosives you can drop in to kill people and collapse the tunnels. If they get really nast, once you turn off the ventalation, any heavier than air gas will do the job. Hell even truck exhaust pumped into the vent system will settle and fill up the tunnels.
There's probably other techniques as well. I'm not a Combat Engineer by trade, those are just the ones I've heard about the US having on hand. Going in Tunnel Rat style is the last resort.
