Russia Warns Israel: Flooding Hamas Tunnels Could Constitute a War Crime

A Russian diplomat has warned that Israel's plan to flood Hamas tunnels in Gaza with seawater may constitute a war crime. The Israel Defense Forces have reportedly constructed pumps to flood the tunnels, but concerns remain about the safety of hostages who may still be inside. The Russian diplomat criticized the plan, arguing that it would contaminate Gaza's subsoil waters and undermine the enclave's fragile agricultural capacities. The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, with the US representative stating that the resolution was divorced from reality. The lack of potable water supplies, sanitation, and medical access in Gaza has led to a public health crisis, according to the World Health Organization.