Recently, according to the New York Times, the Israeli military has embarked on an unprecedented operation: to inject water into the vast network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip. This strategy immediately aroused widespread attention and heated discussions in the international community. Hamas militant groups have long used these tunnels to attack, store** and even hold hostages, which has become a problem for Israel. Now, the Israeli military has finally stepped in to dismantle Hamas's underground terrorist infrastructure through this new tactic.
However, this action is not without controversy. In the military's first public acknowledgment of flooding tunnels, we can get a glimpse of the complexities and risks behind this strategy. Some militaries** have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the move, and the United Nations has warned that it could damage the already fragile drinking and sewage systems in Gaza.
The staggering scale of the tunnel network with the threat of Hamas
Even before the war broke out in the Gaza Strip last October, the Israeli military was already troubled by Hamas's tunnel network. Military spokesmen have repeatedly expressed surprise at the length, depth and quality of the tunnels, some of which are large enough to drive a truck through. This scale has undoubtedly made it more difficult for the Israeli military to strike and has allowed Hamas to operate more flexibly in the tunnels.
Hamas's network of tunnels poses a major threat to Israel. Not only have these tunnels been used for attacks and storage**, but they have also become safe havens for Hamas militants. Over the past few years, Israel has made several attempts to destroy these tunnels, but with limited success. Now, by injecting water into the tunnels, the Israeli military hopes to completely destroy Hamas's underground infrastructure, thereby weakening its combat effectiveness.
Controversy and risks of water injection strategies
However, the strategy of injecting water into the tunnels is not without controversy. On the one hand, some military** believe that this is ineffective because many tunnels are very permeable, and the injected water quickly seeps into the surrounding soil, rather than forming a torrent through the tunnels. On the other hand, the United Nations** has also warned about this. They are concerned that the injection of large quantities of water into the tunnels could cause serious damage to the drinking water and sewage systems in Gaza.
In fact, water resources in Gaza are already very limited. If the water injected into the tunnel is not effectively controlled and treated, it is likely to pollute the groundwater source, which in turn will affect the domestic water supply of local residents. In addition, the sewage treatment system can collapse because it cannot withstand too much water. As a result, not only Hamas militants may escape the blows, but also the residents of Gaza will face even more dire living conditions.
The Israeli military's response and adjustments
In the face of doubts and concerns, the Israeli military stressed in a statement that it had conducted a detailed analysis of the soil characteristics and water system in Gaza before taking action. The military said it had selected specific tunnels for water injection "to ensure that groundwater in the area would not be damaged." In addition, the military said that the purpose of the water injection was not to drown Hamas militants hiding in underground networks, but to drive them out.
However, in practice, this strategy does not seem to work as well. The military, who are aware of the operation, revealed that despite the large amount of water being poured in, many tunnels are still very permeable. This means that most of the water seeps into the surrounding soil without creating the expected torrent. Therefore, it is likely that Hamas militants will remain hiding deep in the tunnels and continue to pose a threat to Israel.
Future outlook and speculation
Looking ahead, the Israeli military is likely to continue to adjust its tactical tactics to counter Hamas's tunnel threat. Given the controversy and limitations of current water injection strategies, the military may consider other, more effective and environmentally friendly ways to destroy tunnel networks. For example, the use of high-tech means to carry out precision strikes or the development of new blasting materials to destroy tunnel structures.
At the same time, the international community should also step up humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Against the backdrop of war and conflict, the inhabitants of Gaza have suffered a lot. If their drinking water and sewage systems are destroyed by military operations, their lives will be even more difficult. Therefore, all parties should work together to ensure that the basic living needs of the population of Gaza are met and to create conditions for peace and stability in the area.
What do you have to say about this event? Everyone is welcome to like, comment and follow.
Note: The illustrations in the article are from the Internet, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete.