The Israeli military has begun injecting seawater into Hamas' maze of tunnels under Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing "U.S. officials briefed on Israeli military operations." According to the report, the operation began last month and is likely to take weeks. ABC also published an article confirming the reports, while adding that flooding appeared limited as Israel evaluates the effectiveness of the strategy. Environmental experts have warned that such a move would have long-term effects, particularly on the Gaza Strip's groundwater, and thus on the supply of drinking water to the population.
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With regard to the flooding of tunnels. I'm not at lib... Well. There are claims that... There are no hostages in any of these tunnels... »
U.S. President Joe Biden
Asked by a reporter about the reports at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden appeared embarrassed. "Regarding the flooding of the tunnels. I'm not at lib... Well. There are claims that... There are no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don't know for sure." He added: "I know, however, that every civilian death is an absolute tragedy, and Israel has declared its intention, as I said, to translate its words... by deeds."