Israeli forces have commenced the flooding of Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip by utilizing seawater pumped from the Mediterranean, as reported in Wednesday’s news updates.
The Israeli military strategically placed a minimum of five water pumps approximately one mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, as detailed in The Wall Street Journal’s initial coverage of the incident.
The concerns raised pertain to the well-being of individuals taken hostage by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel, with some hostages reportedly being held within the tunnels in Gaza. These tunnels, spanning an estimated distance of 300 miles and featuring sturdy blast doors, constitute a critical component of Hamas military activities.
They serve the purpose of enabling militants to move discreetly, storing weapons and supplies, and functioning as command centers in certain sections.
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President Biden Expresses Doubt on Hostages in Gaza Tunnels
Israeli defense authorities have chosen not to provide comments. President Joe Biden, while not directly addressing the report, stated that he does not believe hostages are currently being held in the tunnels.
The Wall Street Journal, citing undisclosed US defense officials, initially reported this information, a claim subsequently corroborated by two additional US officials.
The Associated Press has independently verified this information, citing an anonymous US official.
Israel is currently restricting the flooding of tunnels in a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy. The specific number of targeted tunnels remains undisclosed, and the operation is anticipated to extend over several weeks.
Notably, certain officials within the Biden administration express apprehensions that the introduction of seawater through pumping may exacerbate the already compromised freshwater supply in Gaza, which has suffered damage to its water delivery systems during the conflict.
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