Israeli Military Begins Test Flooding Hamas Tunnels in Gaza with Sea Water

Israeli soldiers near one of the tunnels in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has begun testing flooding the Hamas militant group's tunnel network in the Gaza Strip with seawater, following the announcement of the use of a new combat method to deal with militants hiding underground.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the IDF had begun pumping seawater into Hamas' underground tunnel system, a move aimed at destroying the Palestinian terror group's network of tunnels and hideouts, as quoted by The Times of Israel, December 15.

Last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said flooding Hamas' tunnel network was a "good idea" but would not comment further.

"Hamas, especially its senior members, chose to hide underground. This is Hamas' method of operation, hiding while using civilians above them as human shields," explained IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

Previously, the IDF announced its forces had discovered more than 800 tunnels in the Gaza Strip since the start of the ground offensive targeting Hamas that began in late October. About 500 of them have been destroyed.

Two days earlier, the Journal reported the IDF had installed five large water pumps near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, capable of flooding the tunnel within weeks by pumping thousands of cubic meters of water into it per hour.

It said the method was one of several others being considered to tackle the tunnels, including airstrikes, the use of liquid explosives, and sending dogs, drones, and robots into the network.

Environmental experts have warned that the move could have long-term impacts on groundwater in the Gaza Strip.

Concerns cited by the newspaper include potential damage to Gaza's aquifers and soil, if seawater and hazardous substances in the tunnel seep into them, as well as the possible impact on building foundations.

In 2015, the Egyptian military flooded several smuggling tunnels under the Gaza Strip's southern border.