Israel has begun pumping seawater into Hamas tunnels in Gaza as part of a military plan to destroy the terrorist group’s underground network, where many hostages are believed to be still being held, according to a report.
Water from the Mediterranean is one of several measures used by the Israel Defense Forces to clear and destroy miles of interconnected tunnels, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials.
Earlier this month, the outlet reported that the tactic was being “considered” after the IDF built at least five pumps about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp that could be used to draw seawater to flush the tunnels.
The flooding began around the time Israel added two more pumps to the five and the IDF conducted some initial tests, US officials told the Journal.
The pumping is in its early stages and its effectiveness is still being studied, the Journal reported, adding that other tactics include airstrikes, liquid explosives, and sending dogs, drones and robots into the tunnels.
President Biden was asked about the flood plan on Thursday, explaining it could lead to the deaths of some of the 100 hostages still being held by the terrorist group.
Hamas tunnels are being flooded with water from the Mediterranean, US officials told the Wall Street Journal. AP
“Regarding the tunnel flooding. I’m not in the lib … well, there (are) claims made that … there are no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don’t really know that.”
He added: “I know that, though, every civilian death is an absolute tragedy, and Israel has expressed its intention, as I said, to match its words … with action.”
A spokesman for Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declined to comment to the outlet, saying the tunnel operation was classified.
“No comment,” an IDF spokesperson told The Post in a message on Wednesday.
Last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi said flooding the tunnels was “a good idea, but I won’t comment on the specifics,” the Times of Israel reported.
Saltwater flooding could affect Gaza’s already very limited water supply. via REUTERS
In footage reported between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and freeing the hostages and their families, Israelis angrily told him they feared the flood would kill their loved ones, according to the Journal
In 2015, Egypt flooded a smuggling tunnel between the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula with seawater, sparking complaints that it was damaging the land.
The IDF announced last week that troops had discovered more than 800 tunnels since the start of the ground offensive against Hamas.
About 500 of them have already been destroyed.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
