Israel Begins Flooding 1300 Underground Tunnels Near Gaza: What to Expect - WSJ

The Israeli Army has begun flooding the tunnel network used by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip with seawater, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal citing American administration officials. This military action is aimed at destroying Hamas's infrastructure.

The process of flooding the tunnels may take several weeks, utilizing water from the Mediterranean Sea. There are no official figures on the length and location of the tunnels beneath Gaza, but it is believed that the network consists of approximately 1300 tunnels, totaling 400 to 500 kilometers in length, comparable to the length of the Moscow Metro at 460 kilometers. The tunnels are reportedly no more than two meters high and wide.

According to The Washington Post, the tunnels are categorized into several types based on their use. Some tunnels are designated for the highest leadership of Hamas, while others have been used for incursions into Israel during attacks.

It should be noted that just earlier in December, the newspaper reported that the Israel Defense Forces had completed the installation of five pumping stations near the Al-Shati refugee camp in mid-November. These stations can pump water from the Mediterranean Sea to flood the tunnels over the course of several weeks.

As mentioned in the report, it is nearly impossible to calculate the impact of the flooding on the soil and groundwater, as well as what will happen to the enclave's water supply and sewage systems. Additionally, there is a likelihood that hazardous materials likely present in the tunnels could seep into the soil due to the flooding.

The article emphasizes that this could complicate the situation for U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration and could lead to condemnation worldwide.