Environmental experts have warned the strategy - which Israel has yet to commit to - risks causing an ecological catastrophe that would leave Gaza with no drinkable water and devastate what little agriculture is possible in the 141 sq mile territory.
The UN special rapporteur for the right to water, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, compared it to the legend of Romans' salting of the fields of Carthage to render uninhabitable the territory of their ancient rival. The rapporteur for human rights and the environment, David Boyd, said damaging Gaza's sole water supply would be "catastrophic" for the environment and human rights.
Media reports, photographs and satellite imagery suggest the Israel Defense Forces have set up pumps at al-Shati refugee camp on the eastern coastline of the Gaza Strip, which they could use to pump millions of gallons of seawater into the tunnels used by the militant group.
Israeli soldiers reportedly began trialling pumping seawater into the subterranean network last week, in an effort to drive Hamas's militants above ground and deny them a significant strategic tool.
This story is from the December 23, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 23, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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