According to reports, pumps are being installed to draw water from the sea. However, it was also stated that this could lead to contamination of clean water in the region and damage to the infrastructure.
The US-based The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Israel has a new plan to attack tunnels in the Gaza Strip.
In the middle of last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) installed a system of large pumps about 1.6 kilometers north of the Shati Refugee Camp to fill the vast network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip with seawater, the newspaper reported, citing US officials.
IT IS NOT KNOWN WHAT STAGE THE PLAN IS AT
At least 5 pumps can draw water from the Mediterranean Sea and move thousands of cubic meters of water per hour, which could flood the tunnels in a few weeks.
Israel first raised the issue with the US in early November, sparking controversy over the military and environmental impact of the plan, the report said.
US officials said they did not know what stage the Israeli government was at in implementing the plan, but that no final decision had yet been made.
IT COULD TAKE WEEKS TO FILL THE TUNNELS WITH WATER
The report said that the Israeli army’s plan could neutralize the tunnels, but that it could lead to contamination of clean water and damage to infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. An official familiar with the plan told the newspaper that it would take weeks to fill the tunnels with water, giving Hamas and the hostages time to evacuate.
While the Israeli Defense Ministry has not yet made a statement on the issue, Hamas said in a previous statement that Israeli hostages were being held in tunnels and safe areas.
