Israel may flood Gaza tunnels with seawater

According to the newspaper report The Wall Street Journal, Israeli authorities are considering flooding a system of underground tunnels that they believe are being used by Palestinian Hamas fighters. To achieve this, pumping stations were installed near the Al-Shati refugee camp, capable of pumping water from the Mediterranean Sea. However, no final decision has been made yet, as opinions in the administration of US President Joe Biden are divided.

At the same time, experts point to the possibility of an environmental disaster and an even greater deterioration of the situation with fresh water in the enclave. The degree of watertightness of the tunnels is unknown, so it is impossible to calculate the impact of an attempt to flood them on the soil and groundwater, as well as to find out what will happen to the water supply and sewerage systems. In addition, there is a possibility that, as a result of flooding, hazardous substances that are likely located in the tunnels may enter the soil.

Some experts believe that such a measure could draw worldwide condemnation and put President Biden’s administration in a difficult situation. At the same time, militants hiding in the tunnels can leave them during the flooding. In the long term, flooding the tunnels could force Hamas to abandon them, but the use of salt water could worsen the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.