IDF announces system for neutralizing tunnels without harming groundwater

The IDF announced a new method to flood certain Hamas tunnels in Gaza with seawater.

There have been rumors almost since the beginning of the war that the IDF would flood Hamas terror tunnels with seawater in order to neutralize the ongoing threat to the IDF ground operations in the Gaza Strip. 

In December, The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had begun pumping seawater into the tunnels in an operation called “Atlantis.” The report contained images that claimed to show the IDF pumping water into a tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip. At that time, the IDF only admitted to testing the idea but would not admit to using the method as one of its tools for neutralizing the tunnel threat. 

One concern about the original method was the eventual contamination of groundwater used for agriculture in Gaza. 

The IDF's latest announcement revealed it has developed a system to identify which tunnels are suitable for flooding without affecting the groundwater in the area. 

The system involves locating suitable tunnels and installing the necessary pumps and pipes, ready to use, in order to neutralize terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF statement.

The IDF said it took time to develop the system and train its soldiers how to the use of the equipment. However, the IDF spokesman did not clearly state in what tunnels the method is being used.

The IDF spokesman explained that significant work was carried out, including an analysis of the characteristics of the soil and water system in the area, among other things, to ensure that the groundwater in the area would not be affected. 

A lingering concern pertains to the potential presence of hostages within the tunnels. Presumably, the IDF will only employ this method to pump large volumes of water into tunnels where it has been confirmed that no hostages are present

The method appears to be most effective in tunnels situated close to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the tunnels under cities, such as Khan Younis, contain blast doors, elevator shafts, and move in different directions, all limiting the use of the water pump system for neutralizing a tunnel rapidly. 

Flooding the tunnels represents another tool for IDF troops to combat the challenges they are facing when fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza, along with explosives, robots, drones, airstrikes and strategic ground operations.