Middle East conflict - US media: Israel tests flooding of Hamas tunnels
According to reports in the US media, the Israeli armed forces are testing the flooding of the tunnels of the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Seawater is being pumped into some of the tunnels to find out whether the method is suitable for the large-scale destruction of the underground system, reported the US television station CNN, citing a US official in charge of the matter.
The US newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" also reported on the test run. Israel had informed the USA that only tunnels in which no hostages were suspected would be flooded. The US National Security Council and the Israeli armed forces did not initially comment on the reports when asked by the German Press Agency.
At a press conference on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden was asked about the flooding. He replied: "It is very difficult as far as the flooding of the tunnels is concerned: it is claimed that there are certainly no hostages in these tunnels. But I don't know that for sure." He then added: "What I do know for sure is that every civilian death is an absolute tragedy."
Most recently, Israel's Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi had described the idea of flooding the extensive tunnel system with seawater as a good idea. According to the Israeli military, Hamas has built an extensive tunnel system under the Gaza Strip. It is estimated to be around 500 kilometers long. However, the Israeli army assumes that many of the 135 hostages kidnapped from Israel are also being held in the tunnels.
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- The flooding of Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip by Israel was also covered by the global news outlet, CNN.
- Joe Biden, the US President, was asked about the flooding of tunnels at a recent press conference and expressed concern over any civilian casualties.
- The White House and Israeli military have not officially commented on the testing of flooding Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip, according to reports in US media.
- The Wall Street Journal also reported on Israel's plan to flood certain Hamas tunnels, citing a source close to the US National Security Council.
- Israel has stated that only tunnels without suspected hostages will be targeted in the flooding operations, according to US media.
- The Middle East conflict has once again sparked global attention, with the US media focusing on Israel's controversial method of attacking Hamas' underground tunnel network.
- Following the Israeli test run, allegations of flooding in the Gaza Strip have brought renewed focus on the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Palestinian territories, specifically in Gaza and Tel Aviv.
Source: www.stern.de
