Sponge bombs are specialized devices designed to seal tunnels, developed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to address the Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip. They are non-explosive, chemical bombs that release a sudden burst of expanding foam that quickly hardens and are small enough to be set by individuals. The bombs are encased within a protective plastic container, which has a metal barrier that divides two distinct liquids. Once the barrier is removed, the liquids mix, and the device is either set at its target by an individual or thrown. The sponge bomb would prevent soldiers from being ambushed as they move further into the network, sealing off gaps through which Hamas could attack. The IDF has not commented on the use of the so-called “sponge bombs,” which create a sudden explosion of foam that rapidly expands and then hardens. However, during initial testing of these bombs, the liquid emulsion was found to be hazardous to work with when mishandled, and some Israeli soldiers lost their eyesight. It is important to note that sponge bombs are different from water bombs made from strips of sponge and a rubber band or hair elastic, which are simply water balls that soak up water and are great for throwing around.