Russia Warns Israel Over Flooding Tunnels in Gaza: 'War Crime'

Russia has responded to claims that Israel was considering flooding tunnels in the Gaza Strip it considered to be part of the Hamas network, saying that such a move would be a war crime.

On Friday, the U.S. vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war that has raged between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, since the Palestinian militants launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7.

The resolution was put forward by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and had the backing of 13 other members, although the U.K. abstained. It followed a warning by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the 15-member council of a global threat from the Middle East war.

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on December 9, 2023, shows smoke rising above buildings during an Israeli strike. Russia has warned Israel not to flood tunnels in Gaza, following reports that it had this capability. JACK GUEZ/Getty Images

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's United Nation's chargé d'affaires, said that Moscow was extremely disappointed that the Security Council had failed to adopt a binding decision to demand rather than call on the parties to stop violence.

Moscow's statement also noted a report this week that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had assembled a system of large pumps. These could flood with seawater Hamas's vast network of tunnels under the Gaza Strip, according to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper said each of at least five pumps can take water from the Mediterranean Sea and, while the tactic could drive Hamas fighters from their underground hiding places, it could also threaten the strip's water supply.

Russia said that reports of proposals to flood the tunnels were shocking and warned that "if done, this will be a war crime."

"Such flooding could be considered analogous to 'do not spare them' order, but it is not only about that and not only about civilians who may be in those tunnels," the statement read. "Of course, there most likely will be civilians, for where else would they go from the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza." When contacted for a response, the IDF told Newsweek it had "no comment" on Russia's claims.

Over the last two months, Russia has repeatedly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, with Vladimir Putin initially blaming the Hamas attacks in Israel as a "clear example of the failed policy in the Middle East of the United States."

Analysts consider Moscow to be exploiting the turmoil, since it has taken scrutiny off Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The conflict in Gaza has also undermined Kyiv's calls for weapons, as the U.S. continues to provide military and moral support for Israel.

While Russia has criticized the UN's vote, as a permanent member, Moscow has also vetoed resolutions condemning aspects of its invasion of Ukraine, one being its declaration that it had annexed four Ukrainian territories.

Last week, there was a ceasefire, in which hostages taken from Israel were exchanged with Palestinian prisoners and aid entered the strip. However, overnight Friday, Israeli warplanes continued bombardments, the Associated Press reported, adding that the death toll in the Gaza Strip had surpassed 17,400.

Ahead of Friday's UN vote, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing how aid delivery is nearly impossible and that the few remaining health services are completely overwhelmed.

"From a humanitarian point of view, a halt to fighting is the only way to address the immediate needs of civilians in Gaza, both for aid and for protection," the IRC said in comments emailed to Newsweek. Food and water are "scarce and diminishing" and "needs are growing by the hour."