Five large pumps have been assembled north of the al-Shati refugee camp during the last month, with each one capable of pumping thousands of cubic meters of seawater into the tunnels.
Israel informed US officials that they were considering this option last month and needed to weigh feasibility and environmental factors against military necessity.
Some US officials expressed concern about the plan while others supported it.
The process could take weeks and therefore could allow Hamas's fighters to evacuate, potentially taking the hostages with them. However, it isn't clear whether Israel would wait until all hostages are returned. READ MORE
