Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o5WXQzU3TYvnZw7puVmpEi-415-80.jpg)
Israel is reportedly poised to flood the vast tunnel network used by Hamas under Gaza despite warnings about the risk to remaining hostages.
According to The Wall Street Journal(WSJ), the Israeli Defence Forces finished assembling at least five pumps just north of the Al-Shati refugee camp last month that could each "move thousands of cubic metres of water per hour" from the Mediterranean Sea into the tunnels. And images released by the IDF yesterday "appear to show scores of Israeli soldiers setting up a series of black pipes" on Gaza's beaches, the Daily Mail reported.
Videos shared by Israeli media also "appear to show IDF soldiers working on the pipes while underground", the paper added. But while flooding the tunnels could destroy the underground network and drive out the terrorist organisation, the move could "prove fatal" for any of hostages being held underground.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
US officials have warned that the tactic could also "threaten Gaza's water supply" and permanently damage the environment, said the WSJ.
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu is "keeping mum" about the reported plan, said The Times of Israel, after the prime minister insisted yesterday that he wouldn't "volunteer information to the enemy".
But the IDF's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, publicly endorsed the move as a "good idea".
The Times reported that "controversial US security contractor" Erik Prince, founder of private military company Blackwater, "persuaded" Israel "only days" after the 7 October attacks by Hamas "to buy his sophisticated mining equipment" to flood the tunnels. A source reportedly told the paper that the involvement of the former US Navy Seal was a "red flag" to the Joe Biden administration, which "demanded more study" on the potential impact of flooding on groundwater and sewage facilities.
Military analyst Professor Michael Clarke told Sky News that the plan to force Hamas out of the tunnels "would work", however.
But the reports "may be a piece of psychological warfare" to "flush them out" with "words rather than water", he suggested.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Harriet Marsden is a writer for The Week, mostly covering UK and global news and politics. Before joining the site, she was a freelance journalist for seven years, specialising in social affairs, gender equality and culture. She worked for The Guardian, The Times and The Independent, and regularly contributed articles to The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The New Statesman, Tortoise Media and Metro, as well as appearing on BBC Radio London, Times Radio and “Woman’s Hour”. She has a master’s in international journalism from City University, London, and was awarded the "journalist-at-large" fellowship by the Local Trust charity in 2021.
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Roman epic Those About to Die has split the critics
Talking Point Sword and sandals miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins puts spectacle above story
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Why is China stockpiling resources?
The Explainer The superpower has been amassing huge reserves of commodities at great cost despite its economic downturn
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Could Hezbollah defeat Israel?
Today's Big Question 'World's best-armed non-state group' on brink of all-out war with neighbour as UN chief warns of regional 'catastrophe'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Iran at the nuclear crossroads
The Explainer Officials 'openly threatening' to build nuclear bomb, as watchdog finds large increase in enriched uranium stockpile
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How strong is Hamas?
Today's Big Question Analysts warn that Islamist group may sustain 'lingering armed resistance for years to come'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran's attack on Israel backfire?
Today's Big Question The unprecedented targeting of Israel could be a 'godsend' for Netanyahu as the limits of Tehran's military power are exposed
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran risk all-out war with Israel?
Today's Big Question Tehran has not wanted to be directly involved in the Middle East conflict so far. But that could be about to change
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published