Water in Hamas Shelters; Israel Begins Pumping Seawater into Hamas Tunnels in Gaza

The Wall Street Journal, citing American officials involved in the Israeli military operations, reported that the Israeli army has started pumping seawater into Hamas's underground tunnel system in Gaza. IDF commander Herzi Halevi stated last week that this action is a 'good idea.' The Israeli army has not disclosed details of its operations to destroy Hamas's tunnel infrastructure. According to the report, the destruction of Hamas tunnels began last month. The action of filling the tunnels with Mediterranean seawater, which is in its early stages, is just one of several measures Israel is using to clear and destroy Hamas tunnels. Israeli officials say that Hamas's extensive underground system plays a major role in their battlefield operations, allowing for the maneuvering of fighters and storage of rockets and munitions. Israel also believes that some hostages are being held inside the tunnels. The operation to pump seawater into the tunnels may take weeks. Environmental experts have warned that this action will have long-term effects on the groundwater of the Gaza Strip. In a similar action in 2015, Egypt filled tunnels used by smugglers at the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, which led to complaints from farmers about damaged crops. Images from inside Hamas tunnels show that the Israeli army has destroyed 130 tunnels. Israel has discovered 800 entrances to Hamas tunnels beneath Gaza. The Israeli army has uncovered a '55-meter fortified tunnel' beneath Shifa Hospital and is using tracking robots and explosive gel in its fight against Hamas tunnels.