Seawater from the Mediterranean Sea is being pumped into nearly 300 miles of Hamas-controlled tunnels sprawling throughout Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released images last week of dozens of soldiers laying pipes on Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. The pumps have the ability to move hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per hour.

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Experts believe this initiative could damage Gaza’s water supply and endanger any hostages that may be held in the tunnels. Israel says 137 hostages are still in captivity

“On October 7th, I was kidnapped and taken down to the tunnels in Gaza,” said Margalit Moses, a hostage who was released after being held for 49 days. “It was very difficult. There were mental difficulties, there were physical difficulties and every day that passes it becomes more and more difficult. Being held hostage in the tunnels is an unbearable situation. We must return the people as soon as possible.”

President Joe Biden said Tuesday Dec. 12, that he didn’t know “for a fact” that no hostages remain in the Gaza tunnels despite “assertions” that is the case.

“It’s very difficult,” Biden told the press. “With regard to the flooding of the tunnels, I’m well, there are assertions being made that they’re quite sure there are no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don’t know that for a fact. I do know that, though, every civilian death is an absolute tragedy and Israel stated its intent, as I said, to match its words with its intent, with actions.”

With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,900. Most are women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

The Associated Press reports Israel is trying to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas, saying it endangers residents by fighting in dense areas and positioning weapons, tunnels and rocket launchers in or near civilian buildings.