Israel's Military Explores Seawater as Hamas Tunnel Disruptor 🌊🚧
In a controversial approach against Hamas, Israeli military officials are reportedly testing seawater to potentially disable the terror group's network of underground tunnels. The US media has highlighted this development, but the prospect of hostages in the tunnels remains unclear.
CNN has reported that Israeli military personnel have begun exploring the possibility of flooding Hamas tunnels with seawater to dismantle their extensive subterranean infrastructure. The US National Security Council and the Israeli Defense Forces have yet to comment on these rumors.
The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Israel has assembled a system of significant pumps to deliver seawater into the tunnels, citing a single source close to the matter. Each pump could draw thousands of cubic meters of water from the Mediterranean onto the tunnels per hour, potentially flooding them within weeks.
However, if implemented, concerns have been raised about its impact on Gaza's water supply. US President Joe Biden, when asked about the potential flooding of the tunnels, specified that every civilian death is an absolute tragedy.
The Gaza Tunnel System
Israel's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi previously described this concept as a good idea, but the military had initially hesitated out of worry for possible hostages hidden in the tunnels. According to the Wall Street Journal's report, Hamas maintains an estimated 500-kilometer-long tunnel system, with more than 800 shafts found since the onset of conflicts.
Potential Risks and Concerns
Taking the Israeli military's ambitions into consideration, there are several facts to bear in mind concerning this tactic:
- Environmental Effects: The contamination of groundwater and further degradation of Gaza's already strained water supply could be a consequence of flooding the tunnels with seawater.
- Hostage Safety: There are concerns about Hamas moving hostages to the surface, putting them at risk in the process of conducting military operations.
- Infrastructure Damage: Flooding tunnels with seawater could also potentially harm Gaza's existing infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, the Israeli military's testing of seawater flooding for Hamas tunnels is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of its potential implications in dismantling Hamas's tunnels, protecting hostages and infrastructure, and maintaining the safety of the region's water sources.
