There have been reports that the Israeli military is planning to use massive seawater pumps to flood the tunnel network under the Gaza Strip. This is seen as a strategic move to drive out the Hamas fighters who hide in these subterranean routes. In November, five large seawater pumps were finished, about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited US officials.
Each pump can draw water from the Mediterranean Sea and move thousands of cubic meters of water per hour; the report claims that this could flood the tunnels in a few weeks. Concerns regarding the possible presence of hostages, including Americans, held by Hamas since the attack on Israel on October 7th, notwithstanding Israel’s lack of commitment to executing the plan, arose.
Approximately 240 people were taken captive by the Palestinian terrorist group and taken to the Gaza Strip during the assault. Israel views the network as much more extensive after discovering 800 tunnels utilized by Hamas for a variety of objectives, including as transferring fighters, storing weapons, and plotting terrorist strikes. If carried out, the flooding plan seeks to offer a controlled way for Hamas terrorists and possible hostages to escape from the tunnels.
Pumping saltwater into uncharted tunnels is an innovative idea, but its efficacy is still up in the air. An individual with knowledge of the project warned of potential risks, saying, “We are not sure how successful pumping will be since nobody knows the details of the tunnels and the ground around them.” An Israeli military officer was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying that while the IDF would not comment on the flooding plan, they would stress the dedication of the military to destroying Hamas’s capabilities in any way they could.
It is unknown how close the plan is to execution, but U.S. officials were supposedly briefed on it last month. Until Hamas is completely driven out of Gaza, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to maintain its military campaign. Israeli airstrikes on the terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip have already reached 10,000.
During its offensive against Hamas, Israel has launched nearly 10,000 airstrikes, with a focus on disrupting the underground labyrinth, in an effort to protect people. Israel is unwavering in its purpose, even when a ceasefire agreement has failed. The White House National Security Council has pointed the finger at Hamas’s refusal to free hostages, highlighting their clear policy of countering any threat to Israeli land.
The position was reaffirmed by IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, who said, “Our policy is clear — we will forcefully strike any threat posed against our territory.”