Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AFP
Published on 2024-01-30 18:22:42
The Israeli army has confirmed that it is flooding Hamas’s attack tunnels as part of its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The southern city of Khan Yunis has become the focal point of intense fighting, with massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure.
The Israeli military has been using the tactic of channelling water into Hamas’s extensive network of tunnels, that it has referred to as “the Gaza metro”. This tactic is part of the IDF’s strategy to neutralize the threat posed by these tunnels. At the beginning of the conflict, there were around 1,300 tunnels spanning over 310 miles in Gaza, posing a significant security risk to Israel.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, the Israeli army has been conducting a fierce offensive in Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties, including women, children, and civilians. Hamas has reportedly taken hostages, with some still being held in the network of tunnels.
The Israeli military has been careful not to damage the area’s groundwater while flooding the tunnels, and is making efforts to avoid posing risks to civilians.
Efforts to broker a new truce have been ongoing, with a proposed framework discussed by top US, Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials. Hamas has acknowledged receiving the proposal and is currently examining it. The proposed truce includes a phased release of women and children hostages, as well as the provision of aid to Gaza.
The situation in the West Bank has also seen an escalation of violence, with Israeli troops conducting undercover raids in hospitals. The conflict has caused extensive destruction in Gaza, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis for its 2.4 million residents. Concerns have been raised about the potential for a wider conflict in the Middle East, involving Iran-backed allies of Hamas.
The war has resulted in devastating consequences for Gaza, with the majority of its inhabitants facing hunger and disease. Ongoing investigations into the alleged involvement of UN aid agency staff in the conflict have led to a suspension of funding from key donor countries.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the urgent need for support to address the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza. The World Health Organization has warned that the focus on the UNRWA controversy is diverting attention from the critical humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza.
