As the conflict between Palestine and Israel intensifies, images have emerged seeming to show Israeli forces preparing to flood the network of tunnels used by Hamas under the Gaza Strip with seawater. This tactic would effectively drown out and displace the terrorists who have been using the tunnels to launch attacks on Israel.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that Israel has installed at least five pumps about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp, with the capacity to move thousands of cubic meters of water per hour. This means that the 300-mile network of tunnels could potentially be flooded within weeks, effectively neutralizing the underground threat posed by Hamas.
Footage shared by Israeli media showed scores of soldiers visibly setting up black pipes on the sandy beaches of Gaza, further supporting the claims made by US officials. According to the officials, Israel first informed the US of this option last month, sparking discussions about its feasibility and environmental impact. However, it was not clear at the time how close Israel was to carrying out the plan.
What is also concerning is that this tactic could put the lives of 138 hostages, still being held by Hamas, at risk if the flooding of the tunnels were to occur before their release. However, Israeli Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, seemed to confirm the reports when he called the idea a “good one.”
In response to a question about the possibility of flooding the tunnels, Lt. Gen. Halevi stated that the IDF is operating to dismantle Hamas’s terror capabilities in various ways, and any means that would give them an advantage over their enemy is being evaluated. But, he added that he cannot comment on the specifics of the plan.
The move to flood the tunnels comes as Israel has continued to push forward with their ground invasion and offensive tactics in Gaza, despite calls from the US to temper their actions and provide more assistance to civilians.
The IDF has already begun encircling and pushing into Khan Yunis, the second-largest city in Gaza, where Hamas leaders are believed to be hiding. This follows a bloody day of fighting on Tuesday, described as the most intense since the war began two months ago.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 16,248 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. As the fighting continues to intensify in the southern region of Gaza, civilians are forced to flee to the south in search of safety. However, as many areaas are becoming increasingly targeted and dangerous, there are concerns for the well-being and safety of the displaced population.
The Palestinian Authority has also condemned the succession of orders for civilians to flee one area to another and warned about the dire public health consequences as winter approaches.
As the violence and displacement continue, there is growing pressure for a resolution to be reached before more innocent lives are lost. But for now, it seems that both sides are determined to continue their fight. With the threat of flooding the tunnels looming, it remains to be seen whether this will be the tactic that finally brings an end to the conflict or leads to further escalation.
