© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An Israeli soldier walks via a tunnel beneath Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza Metropolis, amid the continued floor operation of the Israeli military towards Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, within the northern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Z
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden declined to instantly reply a query on reviews that Israel was pumping seawater into Hamas’ Gaza tunnel complicated, referring solely to assertions that there have been no hostages within the areas focused.
Citing unnamed U.S. officers, the Wall Road Journal reported that Israel had lately begun pumping seawater into Hamas’ huge labyrinth of tunnels beneath Gaza, in a course of that will seemingly take weeks.
ABC Information later printed an analogous report and mentioned the flooding appeared restricted as Israel evaluates the technique’s effectiveness.
Israel’s army mentioned it was wanting into the reviews. An Israeli protection ministry spokesperson declined to remark.
Responding to a query concerning the reviews at a press convention in Washington, Biden mentioned: “With regard to the flooding of the tunnels. I’m not at lib-, well. There (are) assertions being made that … there’s no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don’t know that for a fact.”
Biden added: “I do know that, though, every civilian death is an absolute tragedy, and Israel has stated its intent, as I said, to match its words … with actions.”
The Journal, citing Biden administration officers, has mentioned the flooding might assist destroy the tunnels, the place Israel believes the militant group is hiding hostages, fighters and munitions.
Different officers have expressed issues the seawater would endanger Gaza’s recent water provide, the Journal added.
