The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have begun filling the Hamas tunnel complex in Gaza with seawater, the Wall Street Journal reported.

This operation may take several weeks.

Some officials in US President Joe Biden’s administration have said that the process could help destroy tunnels where Hamas is believed to be hiding hostages as well as ammunition and its fighters.

Other officials are concerned that the seawater will endanger Gaza’s drinking water supply, the newspaper said.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the report.

The Gaza Strip is known to have extensive underground networks. When Hamas regained power in the region in 2007, following the withdrawal of the Israeli Army and a bloody rift with the West Bank-based Fatah of the Palestinian Authority, this network expanded significantly.

The Israelis have identified about 800 tunnels so far, although they acknowledge that the network is much larger. The network is not only extensive, but also complex, giving a significant advantage to the terrorist group’s fighters.

With information from: APA MPA, WSJ

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