Israel Floods Tunnel, Hamas: Built by Trained Engineers, Considering All Possibilities Including Flooding

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

JAKARTA - The Hamas militant group said their tunnel network was built by experts and took into account all possible attacks, including flooding, directed at the underground tunnels.

These comments were made by Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, when Israel reportedly began trials to flood tunnels in Gaza.

"The tunnel was built by trained and educated engineers who took into account all possible attacks from the occupation, including water pumping," explained Hamdan, reported by CNN, December 15.

"(The tunnel) is an integral part of the resistance, and all the consequences and expected attacks have been taken into account," continued Hamdan.

As previously reported, Israel has begun trials to flood the underground tunnel network in Gaza, along with new tactics to fight the militant group.

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, quoted by The Times of Israel.

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.