Update: I am told by someone whose opinion I trust that the use of suffocating gas is verboten as well as is the use of the toxic stuff. Leaving me to wonder about Putin in the theater with the fentanyl-derivative gas. Putin probably didn't wonder when he gave the go-ahead. Psychopaths don't question stuff like that.
Original post:
It would be quicker and less risky to slowly flood the tunnels with carbon dioxide but the Jews seem to be touchy regarding any type of gas, even usually non-toxic CO₂. Also, the gas 'em idea is a shorter term solution than using H₂O.
From the Times of Israel, December 5:
Wall Street Journal says IDF has yet to decide on whether to go ahead with plan to flood terror group’s subterranean passages and hideaways, with opinions mixed in US
Israel has readied plans to flood Hamas’s system of tunnels under the Gaza Strip with water pumped from the Mediterranean Sea, a move aimed at destroying the terror group’s subterranean network of passages and hideaways and driving its fighters above ground, according to a report Monday.
Quoting US officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Israel Defense Forces last month set up five large water pumps near the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, which are capable of flooding the tunnels within weeks by pumping thousands of cubic meters of water per hour into them.
The officials said Israel alerted the US about the plan last month, but has not yet decided on whether to implement it.
The report noted it was unclear whether the IDF would move to flood the tunnels before all of the hostages that Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups abducted during the October 7 onslaught in southern Israel were freed, due to the apparent risk that would be posed to hostages being held underground.
According to the report, opinions in Biden administration were mixed, with some officials expressing concern about the Israeli plan while others said they back Israel’s efforts to destroy the tunnels and that there isn’t necessarily any American opposition.
Among the concerns cited by the newspaper were potential damage to Gaza’s aquifer and soil, if seawater and hazardous substances in the tunnels seep into them, as well as the possible impact on the foundations of buildings....
....MUCH MORE
Reminder, Hamas was thinking the same thing:Back in October Luttwak was pointing out the tactical necessity of doing something with the tunnels:
