TEL AVIV – On Monday, US officials stated
that Israel installed a large pumping system to potentially flood tunnels used
by Hamas in Gaza. This move aims to force Hamas out, with previous reports
suggesting Israel considers using "sponge bombs" to seal the tunnels,
according to The Wall Street Journal and Jo 24.
اضافة اعلان
The report revealed that around
mid-November, the Israeli army placed at least 5 pumps about a kilometer north
of the Beach Refugee Camp. These pumps can move thousands of cubic meters of
water per hour, potentially submerging the tunnels within weeks.
It remains unclear if Israel will consider
using the pumps before the release of all detainees held by Hamas, which
previously announced hiding them in "safe places and tunnels."
The Wall Street Journal cited an Israeli
military official who refrained from commenting on the tunnel flooding plan but
stated, "The Israeli army works to neutralize Hamas capabilities through
various military and technological means."
The US was reportedly informed of this
option by Israel in November, and officials are uncertain about Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's stance on executing the plan. A US official told Reuters it would
be logical for Israel to make the tunnels unusable, exploring various means to
achieve this. The report's details could not be independently verified, and the
Israeli Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
What is a Sponge Bomb:
A Telegraph report from October 31
suggested Israel might use "sponge bombs" to close resistance
tunnels. Additionally, French newspaper Le Figaro in mid-November reported
Israel is exploring the use of "sponge bombs," stating that Israel
has developed this weapon over several years.
According to Le Figaro, these
"bombs" consist of two liquids in the same bag, separated by a metal
barrier. When thrown into tunnels, the substances mix chemically, creating a
foam wave that expands and solidifies, blocking tunnel voids. The liquids do
not cause explosions, limiting collateral damage, and are resistant to water,
chemicals, and ignition.
However, experts noted to Al Jazeera that
this is not a new weapon and its military use requires conditions that may not
make it suitable for tunnel warfare. Israel has attempted multiple times to
destroy resistance tunnels in recent years through explosions or bulldozers,
but Hamas has consistently rebuilt them.
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