Gaza conflict heads underground

+ the lazy way to a better yard US Edition - Today's top story: In Gaza, the underground war between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in the tunnels is set to begin [View in browser]( US Edition | 8 November 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [How fresh water helps supply chains flow]( - [The latest research on ketamine and PTSD]( - [Bias drives narratives over women’s sports]( Lead story Beneath the densely populated and besieged neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip, there is a network of tunnels. This subterranean fortress, nicknamed “Gaza metro” by the Israel Defense Forces, is where Hamas militants smuggle weapons, plan attacks and – so it is believed – keep guard over scores of Israeli hostages. It is also where the next stage of the conflict is heading. With Israeli ground forces now on the outskirts of Gaza City, specialists from a tunnel-warfare unit known as Samur – or “weasels” in Hebrew – may soon be taking the conflict underground. Brian Glyn Williams, a UMass Dartmouth scholar who has studied tunnel warfare, explains that [Israeli forces have some advantages](: They have long known about the tunnels, have some previous experience fighting in them and have designed specialized weapons, including “sponge bombs” that contain expanding foam that sets and seals off entrances. But Williams adds that historic examples of subterranean battles offer a warning: “Tunnel warfare tends to lessen many advantages a stronger, more advanced attacker might otherwise expect − and to favor the defenders hidden underground.” [ [Science from the scientists themselves. Sign up for our weekly science email newsletter.]( ] Matt Williams Senior International Editor A Hamas fighter steps out of a tunnel during a 2014 public demonstration of the group’s military abilities. Yousef Masoud/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images [In Gaza, the underground war between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in the tunnels is set to begin]( Brian Glyn Williams, UMass Dartmouth The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had attacked Hamas gunmen in a tunnel and killed fighters who emerged to attack their positions in northwest Gaza. Arts + Culture - [We blurred the gender of soccer players and had people rate their performances − with surprising results]( Carlos Gómez González, University of Zurich; Cornel Nesseler, University of Stavanger A common criticism of women’s sports is that female players aren’t as entertaining or skilled as their male counterparts. Two researchers decided to put this notion to the test. Economy + Business - [Fresh water is a hidden challenge − and opportunity − for global supply chains]( Dustin Cole, Auburn University Smart water management isn’t just good for the earth. It’s good for business. 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