Israel is Flooding Hamas Tunnels in Gaza, Endangering the Hostages

December 14th, 2023

Awake Goy

In a strategic move, the Israeli military has reportedly initiated the flooding of Hamas’ underground tunnel network beneath Gaza, a contentious operation that has raised concerns about the safety of more than 100 hostages and potential contamination of the strip’s water supply. According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli forces have begun pumping seawater into the extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza, a tactic designed to incapacitate and destroy the subterranean infrastructure used by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The alleged operation involves powerful pumps that were transported into Gaza last month, marking a significant development in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. While Israeli officials have refrained from commenting on the reported operation, it is speculated that the complete flooding of the hundreds of miles of tunnels and bunkers beneath Gaza could take several weeks.

The move is not without controversy within Israel, as families of approximately 140 hostages still in Hamas’ captivity fear for the safety of their loved ones, some of whom are believed to be held in the targeted tunnels. Meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and released hostages have reportedly featured complaints that flooding the tunnels could lead to the death of those left behind, a sentiment revealed through audio recordings published by Hebrew news site Ynet.

In response to inquiries about the flooding operation, US President Joe Biden expressed uncertainty about the presence of hostages in the tunnels, stating that he has heard “assertions” but lacks confirmation. Meanwhile, US officials have raised concerns over the potential contamination of Gaza’s limited freshwater resources, as pumping large amounts of seawater underground could impact the enclave’s drinking water supply. Before the conflict with Israel, around 90% of Gaza’s drinking water came from groundwater wells, according to the Palestinian Water Authority.

From Israel’s perspective, flooding the tunnels is considered a preferred alternative to sending troops underground to confront armed militants and navigate potential booby traps. Despite Israeli forces gaining control over parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis, Hamas’ underground activities remain a significant challenge, with the subterranean theater continuing to pose difficulties for the Israeli military, as highlighted by former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin and retired Israeli colonel Miri Eisin. The operation underscores the complexity and multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict in the region, where military strategies are adapted to address evolving challenges posed by militant groups like Hamas.

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