Israel Adopts Seawater Flooding Strategy Against Hamas Tunnels in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officially announced on Tuesday its unprecedented use of seawater to flood the Hamas underground tunnel network in the Gaza Strip. This technique is part of the IDF’s arsenal to counteract the subterranean structures used by Hamas. However, this strategy has drawn criticism from United Nations hydrologists and environmental experts, who warn it could severely damage Gaza’s drinkable water supply and agricultural land.
The IDF detailed that its approach was meticulously planned, taking into consideration the soil characteristics and water systems in the area to minimize damage to groundwater. It said the water pumping was executed only in specific tunnel routes and locations.
The move comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, with Israeli figures indicating that about 80% of Hamas’s extensive tunnel system, estimated to stretch 560-725 km, remains intact.
