Israel's 'Gaza Strip Tunnel Flooding Operation'... How Realistic Is It?

Israel-Hamas War's Outcome Hinges on Underground Tunnels
Seawater Injection Possible but... Hostage Drowning and Environmental Pollution Issues Also Arise

As the war between Israel and Hamas prolongs, it has been reported that Israel is considering a method to flood the underground tunnels extending beneath the Gaza Strip with seawater. While the operation of injecting seawater into the tunnels is deemed practically feasible, concerns have been raised that hostages could also be submerged and that it could cause environmental pollution.

Israeli soldiers are securing a tunnel located underground at Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

Currently, there exists a spiderweb-like network of tunnels dug by the Palestinian militant group Hamas beneath the Gaza Strip. According to foreign media, these tunnels, referred to as the "Gaza Metro," are estimated to have a total length of 480 km and a maximum depth of 40 meters.

The tunnels began to attract attention when the ground war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip started. It was anticipated that the outcome of the ground war in Gaza would hinge on tunnel combat. However, analyses suggested that since the tunnels are intricately constructed and booby traps are installed, the situation could become unfavorable for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

In this context, recent reports have emerged that Israel is pushing forward a plan to neutralize the underground tunnels by flooding them. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 4th (local time), citing U.S. government officials, that Israel had already installed more than five large pumps north of the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza in November and had informed the U.S. about this operation in the same month.

Regarding the tunnel flooding plan, positive evaluations such as "a good idea" have come from Israel. According to the Times of Israel on the 5th, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said about the plan to pour seawater into the tunnels, "Taking away the asset of tunnels from the enemy is one of the things we are considering," adding, "It’s a good idea, but I will not comment on the specific details."

Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Herzi Halevi (left) receiving an operational briefing in front of the Mediterranean Sea. Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News

However, there are critical issues with injecting seawater. Currently, about 150 hostages remain unrescued. If seawater is injected, the hostages could also be submerged, and secondly, soil contamination problems could arise.

Baek Seung-hoon, a senior researcher at the Middle East Research Institute of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said on YTN News Live on the 8th, "They have already secured facilities capable of pumping and spraying thousands of square meters of seawater by installing five pumps in the northern area." He added, "If that happens, they have the capacity to flood all the tunnels within the Gaza Strip within weeks."

However, he pointed out, "The current problems are the hostage issue and the ecosystem issue. Because seawater will be injected there, the soil will absorb salt afterward, and there are concerns about how it will be destroyed and how restoration should be carried out."

He continued, "The U.S. government is reportedly working on a report about what should be done, and if it happens, how much additional budget will be required for restoration. These matters are currently underway," adding, "From the U.S. side’s perspective, they are monitoring the situation, judging that Israel might carry out this operation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.