Hamas Claims Gaza Tunnels Constructed to Resist Potential Flooding Attempts

In response to reports on Israel's limited flooding of Gaza's tunnels, a Hamas spokesperson, Osama Hamdan, stated that the underground network was designed by well-trained engineers to withstand attacks, including attempts to pump water into them. Emphasizing the tunnels' integral role in resistance, Hamdan noted that all potential threats were considered during construction. The US was informed by Israel about the careful testing of seawater flooding to assess its effectiveness in degrading the militant group's network. While Israel is uncertain about its success, they assured the US that tests were conducted in tunnels believed to be devoid of hostages. President Joe Biden, when asked, expressed uncertainty about hostage presence but stressed the tragedy of civilian deaths. Israel's military has not commented on the reported flooding. In a recent disclosure, the Israeli army claimed to have destroyed over 500 tunnel shafts in Gaza, with many located in civilian areas, as part of ongoing conflict dynamics.

Key Points:

1. Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan stated that the group's underground tunnels in Gaza were designed by well-trained engineers to withstand potential flooding attempts, emphasizing their role in resistance.

2. A US official informed CNN that Israel has begun limited flooding of some Gaza tunnels with seawater to test its effectiveness in degrading Hamas's underground network on a larger scale. Israel remains uncertain about the success of this method.

3. Israel assured the US that the flooding tests are conducted in tunnels where they believe no hostages are held.

4. US President Joe Biden expressed uncertainty about the presence of hostages in flooded tunnels but emphasized the tragedy of civilian deaths.

5. The Israeli military or government has not commented on the reported flooding.

6. Earlier this month, Israel's army reported the destruction of at least 500 tunnel shafts in Gaza and the identification of over 800 around the Hamas-controlled enclave.

7. The military noted that many tunnel shafts were located in civilian areas and inside civilian structures.

8. In 2021, Hamas claimed to have built 500 km of tunnels under Gaza, though the accuracy of this figure is unclear.

(With Agency Inputs)