Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Israel Considers Flooding Gaza Tunnels with Seawater – WSJ

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Israel’s Plan to Flood Hamas Tunnels in Gaza Strip

Israel has reportedly developed a strategy to flood the tunnels used by the militant group Hamas under the Gaza Strip. According to US officials, Israel has assembled a large system of pumps that could be used to drive out fighters and render the tunnels inoperable.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel’s army completed the setup of at least five pumps about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp. These pumps have the capacity to move thousands of cubic meters of water per hour, potentially flooding the tunnels within weeks.

It is unclear whether Israel would consider using the pumps before all hostages held by Hamas are released. Hamas has previously claimed to have hidden captives in “safe places and tunnels.” However, Reuters could not independently verify the details of this report.

When asked about the flooding plan, a US official stated that it would make sense for Israel to render the tunnels inoperable and that the country was exploring various ways to achieve this goal. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the flooding plan but emphasized their commitment to dismantling Hamas’s terror capabilities using different military and technological tools.

Israel first informed the United States of this option last month. However, it remains uncertain how close Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is to carrying out the plan. Israeli officials have not made a final decision on whether to proceed with flooding the tunnels or rule it out altogether.

The development of this flooding strategy highlights Israel’s ongoing efforts to combat Hamas’s activities in the Gaza Strip. The militant group has been known to use underground tunnels for smuggling weapons, launching attacks, and evading Israeli security forces. By flooding these tunnels, Israel aims to disrupt Hamas’s operations and prevent further threats to its security.

This approach is just one of many tactics that Israel is exploring to neutralize Hamas’s terror capabilities. The country is committed to safeguarding its citizens and maintaining stability in the region. As such, it is constantly seeking innovative solutions to counter the threats posed by Hamas and other extremist groups.

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In conclusion, Israel’s plan to flood the tunnels used by Hamas in the Gaza Strip demonstrates its determination to dismantle the militant group’s terror capabilities. The use of pumps to flood the tunnels could significantly disrupt Hamas’s operations and enhance Israel’s security. While a final decision has not been made, Israel continues to explore various strategies to neutralize the threat posed by Hamas.

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