Israel’s army chief has confirmed that Israel is considering flooding Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza with seawater to destroy the militant group’s underground network. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the army has assembled a system of large pumps that could flood the approximately 300 miles of Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
Quick Read
- Israel’s Tunnel Flooding Plan: Israel’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, confirmed that Israel is considering a plan to flood Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza with seawater. This strategy aims to destroy the militant group’s underground network.
- The Wall Street Journal Report: According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Israeli army has assembled a system of large pumps capable of flooding approximately 300 miles of Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
- Hamas Tunnel Network: Hamas is known to have an extensive network of tunnels used for moving fighters, weapons, and supplies throughout Gaza.
- Previous Tunnel Destruction Efforts: Israel has reportedly already destroyed hundreds of tunnel sections during the ongoing conflict.
- Potential Environmental Concerns: There are concerns about whether flooding the tunnels with seawater could harm Gaza’s underground freshwater aquifer or damage the soil with salt and hazardous materials.
- Hostages’ Relatives Meet with Netanyahu: Family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The meeting ended with disappointment expressed by many attendees regarding the government’s efforts to secure the return of their loved ones.
- Hostages’ Testimonies: Recently released hostages shared distressing experiences of their captivity in Gaza, including allegations of mistreatment by Hamas militants.
- Allegations of Abuse: There are allegations, not verified by the Associated Press, of sexual abuse of hostages by Hamas militants during the October 7 cross-border incident that triggered the current conflict.
- Hostage Exchange: During a recent weeklong cease-fire, approximately 110 hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, 138 individuals are reportedly still in captivity in Gaza.
The Associated Press has the story:
IsraeliArmy is considering flooding Hamas’ Tunnels in Gaza
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)
Israel’s army chief has confirmed that Israel is considering flooding Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza with seawater to destroy the militant group’s underground network. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the army has assembled a system of large pumps that could flood the approximately 300 miles of Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
Asked about the report, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said flooding the tunnels could be a “good idea” and that it was “one of a number of options we are considering.” Hamas is believed to have a sprawling network of tunnels it uses to move fighters, weapons and supplies throughout Gaza.
Israel has said it already has destroyed hundreds of tunnel sections during the war. It is unclear if flooding the tunnels with seawater could threaten Gaza’s already overtaxed underground freshwater aquifer or potentially damage soil with salt and hazardous materials.
HOSTAGES’ RELATIVES MEET WITH NETANYAHU
JERUSALEM — Family members of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza held a tense meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet Tuesday. Participants said the meeting ended after nearly half the room had left in disappointment with the government’s efforts to return their loved ones.
It was the first time the war cabinet had heard directly from recently released hostages. At least five shared harrowing details of their experience in Gaza and called on the government to do more to bring home some 138 still in captivity.
A group representing the hostages’ families said one recently freed hostage testified during the meeting to Hamas “touching” female hostages. Another hostage, according to the group, told the war cabinet the militants shaved off a male hostage’s body hair to humiliate him. Others said they were deprived of water.
Witnesses and medical experts have said Hamas militants raped women during the Oct. 7 cross-border rampage that triggered the war. The Associated Press has not been able to verify reports that hostages were sexually abused in captivity.
Some 110 hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a weeklong cease-fire that ended Friday. The Israeli army says 138 people remain in captivity in Gaza.
