Israel’s Seawater Strategy: A Bold Move to Neutralize Hamas Tunnels in Gaza

Announcement and Background:

• Source: The Wall Street Journal
• Strategy: Flooding Hamas tunnels with seawater
• Location: Near Shati refugee camp, northern Gaza
• Infrastructure: 5 pumps installed, capable of pumping thousands of cubic meters per hour
• Timing: Constructed in mid-November, potential to flood entire network within weeks

Considerations and Challenges:

• Hostage Safety: Uncertainty about initiating flooding before hostage release to avoid casualties
• Effectiveness: American military officials express doubts about the plan’s success due to unknown tunnel details and soil characteristics

Historical Context:

• Egypt’s Precedent: In 2015, Egypt used flooding to combat Hamas tunnel activities along the Egypt-Gaza border

Expert Opinion – Mick Mulroy:

• Analysis: Advocates for a combined approach using dogs, troops, and technological methods
• Opinion on Water Method: Long-term water flooding could force Hamas fighters out of tunnels, potentially reducing war casualties

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have initiated a unique strategy to disrupt the Hamas tunnel network in Gaza. In a tactical shift, the IDF has installed a seawater pump system near the Shati refugee camp. Operational since mid-November, this system features five pumps capable of discharging thousands of cubic meters of seawater per hour, aiming to flood the entire tunnel network swiftly.

The operation’s success is uncertain, with concerns regarding its effectiveness and potential impact on hostages’ safety. American military officials have expressed doubts about the plan’s viability due to the lack of detailed knowledge about the tunnel structures and soil conditions. They question how the seawater will behave in an environment that has never been mapped or explored.

Drawing parallels, Egypt used a similar approach in 2015 to shut down Hamas tunnels along its border with Gaza, aimed at curtailing weapons trafficking. This historical precedent suggests the potential effectiveness of the seawater flooding method.

Mick Mulroy, a former U.S. defense and intelligence official, emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted approach. He notes that while technological solutions and human interventions have their drawbacks, prolonged flooding could effectively flush out Hamas fighters, reducing the risk of war casualties. This tactic presents a novel yet challenging solution to the persistent issue of tunnel warfare in the region.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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