IDF trial of flooding Hamas tunnels with seawater proves successful, ToI told

The IDF’s trial run of pumping seawater in Hamas’s tunnels in the Gaza Strip, as has been reported by foreign media in recent weeks, appears to have been successful, The Times of Israel has learned.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the IDF had started pumping seawater into Hamas’s underground tunnel system, a move aimed at destroying the Palestinian terror group’s subterranean network of passages and hideaways and driving its operatives above ground.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said last week that flooding the tunnels is “a good idea, but I won’t comment on its specifics.”

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the army is operating based on intelligence it has regarding where it believes the hostages are being held and that it will not take steps that harm them.