"Emerson said that he is unaware if Israel requested such intelligence from
the Americans or if it has yet been shared between the two nations"

Exclusive: US intelligence source claims Hamas has many more tunnels than
Israel says
By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON The Jerusalem Post LAST UPDATED: 07/22/2014 09:44
http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Exclusive-US-intelligence-source-claims-Hamas-has-many-more-tunnels-than-Israel-says-368364

Steven Emerson, founder and executive director of the Washington-based
Investigative Project on Terrorism, told the Post in an exclusive interview
on Sunday that US intelligence officials believe that Israel is
underestimating the number of tunnels.

He said that according to a senior National Security Council official
dealing with the Middle East, American satellites – equipped with special
high resolution infrared detection technology – have preliminary findings of
around 60 tunnels on the Israel-Gaza border.

This number could actually be higher though because it does not include
overhead satellite coverage of ground structures that are several stories in
height and are impervious to infrared detection, Emerson said.

This information seems to contradict Israeli estimates of remaining tunnels,
Emerson said.

The IDF told the Post on Monday that up until now 45 tunnels have been
discovered, but when asked how many it estimated remain, it said that no
information was available.

Emerson said that the advanced American satellite, which was originally
developed to deal with the Iranian theater, had been directed to orbit over
Israel and send the data to specialized reconnaissance agencies operating
under the aegis of the National Security Agency (NSA) for analysis.

The infrared heat-seeking technology works by detecting changes in terrain
density and the preliminary findings show that the tunnels are 1.5 m. by 1.2
m. and at least 46 m. in length.

Emerson said that he is unaware if Israel requested such intelligence from
the Americans or if it has yet been shared between the two nations – though
he presumes that if it hadn’t it will be.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the threat of the
tunnels is not a new one and Israel is aware of them. “It is an operation
with more risk, but it is vital. If these tunnels were not found, then the
results would have been a lot worse,” Netanyahu said of the ground
operations in Gaza.

Emerson said that “according to American experts, there are only a couple of
very specialized international corporations that manufacture tunnel-based
equipment that detect unusual gaps in the density of hard rock being
measured.”

The technology also has commercial uses and assists in determining areas
suitable for tunnels and mines.

Emerson speculated that Israel did not purchase this equipment because of
its high cost – and due to its belief that Israel can find and deal with the
tunnels without it. He said that an ex-Israeli intelligence official who he
spoke to came across as arrogant when speaking of the tunnel threat, and had
a “we can deal with it,” attitude.

“It is believed that the construction of the more advanced Palestinian
tunnels began right after the 2012 cease-fire agreement, when Israel agreed
to lift restrictions for humanitarian aid, including large quantities of
steel and concrete,” he said, adding that the agreement to lift the blockade
was overseen by Hillary Clinton.

Egyptian tunnels are easier to build and are dug by using traditional
excavation equipment and are meant mainly for commerce. These are easier to
see, he said, adding that the ones crossing into Israel are for military
purposes and “are of a totally different magnitude.”

Emerson said that Hamas has learned from Hezbollah how to improve its use of
tunnels. He also said that Hamas terrorists are probably not using any
communication devices while inside the tunnels, making it harder to detect
them.

In addition, the tunnels are quite sophisticated, with water, sewage, and
lighting allowing for month longs stays.

Regarding Israel’s efforts at using conventional forces, such as tanks and
troop carriers, Emerson said that these are easier targets for Hamas since
they can gather intelligence on them from close up.

Hamas has been very good at adapting and Israelis “need to think outside the
box as they traditionally have and use their ability to think two steps
ahead of their enemies,” Emerson said.

Herb Keinon contributed to this report.