IDF may resort to 'water war' to flush out Hamas fighters from tunnels
Exactly 60 days after the October 7 massacre by Hamas fighters followed by a deadly retribution by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) including more than 10,000 air strikes, a 'water war' may begin with the novel plan being to flush out Hamas fighters from the extensive 500 km maze of tunnels beneath Gaza.
Such a plan to flood the Hamas-built tunnels across the 12 km-long Gaza-Egypt border was used by the Egyptian government from 2014 onwards to fight smuggling after Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became the president.
Seawater was pumped in through pipes from the Sinai side of the border flooding the tunnels.
President Sisi viewed the tunnel network as a threat to Egypt's security as militants were using them.
The plan is being emulated at a bigger level by Israel. Rather than sending in soldiers to hunt for Hamas fighters inside the intricate network of tunnels that may have booby-trapped and undertake huge risks in the underground battle zone that is the 'home-ground' of the Hamas fighters, the idea would be to flood the interconnected tunnel network.
Reports say that the tunnels underneath Gaza could be completely flooded with seawater in weeks while the water could easily be brought in from the nearby Mediterranean Sea using heavy pumps that the IDF is already reported to have installed for the purpose.
While many have questioned the efficacy of such a move, there are many who are worried about the harmful impact that the sea water may have on the Gaza water table and soil. Such a move could also be a violation of international norms on environmental grounds.
On the 60th day of the ongoing war, the Israeli offensive in the north Gaza Strip has cornered the Hamas fighters in and around the Shujaiya neighborhood and Jabalia city. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that the IDF will now encircle the cornered militants and "close the circle."
The tunnel network in very densely populated Gaza had been in the making since 1999. Some of the tunnels are more than 200 feet below.
Well-lighted and ventilated, the tunnel openings or mouths are well-concealed on the surface and mostly camouflaged so that they cannot be spotted by drones and satellites.
Considered to be the home-ground of the Hamas, the tunnels function as the operational bases and safe-houses, storehouse of ammunition and weapons, jails to keep hostages and importantly as entry and exit points to stage ambush attacks on the enemy.
Fighting an over-ground urban guerrilla warfare where tanks and heavy equipment face mobility difficulties and an underground warfare inside tunnels, the IDF faces a complicated war in Gaza.
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