Israel reportedly began flooding Gaza tunnels

Israel reportedly began flooding Gaza tunnels

From Le Figaro

Published 1 hour ago, updated 1 hour ago

Israeli soldiers inspect a tunnel that runs under the Gaza Strip. RONEN ZVULUN / Portal

According to American media, the operation began last month and is expected to last weeks. The flooding appears to be limited at the moment while Israel evaluates the effectiveness of this strategy.

The Israeli army has begun injecting seawater into the labyrinth of Hamas tunnels beneath Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, December 12, citing “American officials briefed on Israeli military operations.” According to the article, the operation began last month and is expected to last weeks. ABC also published an article confirming the reports, but added that flooding appears to be limited for now while Israel assesses the effectiveness of this strategy. Environmental experts warn that such a decision would have long-term effects, particularly on the groundwater in the Gaza Strip and thus on the population's drinking water supply.

Regarding the flooding of the tunnels. I'm not with Lib… Well. There are claims that… there are no hostages in any of these tunnels…”

US President Joe Biden

When asked by a journalist about this information during a press conference in Washington on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden appeared embarrassed. “Regarding the flooding of the tunnels. I'm not with Lib… Well. There are claims that there are no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don't know for sure.” Before adding: “I do know, however, that any civilian death is an absolute tragedy and, as I said, Israel has declared its intention to put its words… into action.”