Israel's flooding Gaza tunnels with saltwater could have 'severe adverse human rights impacts': UN

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN Human Rights Office warned Thursday about Israel's flooding Gaza tunnels with saltwater and said it could lead to "severe" effects.

"Israel’s flooding of tunnels with saltwater could have severe adverse human rights impacts, some long term," it wrote on X.

"Goods indispensable to civilian survival could also be at risk, as well as widespread, long-term and severe environmental damage," it warned. "Civilians must be protected."

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,787 Palestinians have since been killed and 50,897 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while 135 hostages are still held by the Palestinian group in Gaza, according to official figures