The Palestinian militant group Hamas made an urgent plea on Wednesday for nations involved in mediating the ongoing conflict to exert pressure on Israel. This request focuses on the safe passage of numerous Hamas fighters who are currently trapped within a network of tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip.
This appeal comes in the wake of recent reports from the Israeli military, which disclosed that over 20 Hamas members had been killed in the past week while attempting to escape the underground infrastructure. Additionally, eight more individuals were apprehended during these military operations. “We hold (Israel) fully responsible for the lives of our fighters and call upon our mediators to take immediate action,” a Hamas statement declared, emphasizing their demand for the safe return of their members.
In a notable development, this was the first time Hamas publicly acknowledged that some of its fighters were indeed entrapped in the tunnels. Israeli media has reported that an estimated 100 to 200 Hamas militants find themselves isolated within these tunnels located under the city of Rafah, an area currently under Israeli military oversight.
The ongoing turmoil is further complicated by the US-brokered ceasefire initiated on October 10, which allowed the Israeli army to retreat from several coastal areas in the Gaza Strip, delineated by a “yellow line” marking Israeli control. Notably, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff spoke at a business conference in Miami earlier this month about these trapped fighters, insinuating that their potential surrender—along with the handover of their weapons—could serve as a critical test for both parties navigating the ceasefire.
Despite international calls for restraint, Israel’s stance remains steadfast. An Israeli government spokesperson conveyed to AFP that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not inclined to facilitate the safe passage of the “200 Hamas terrorists,” affirming a commitment to dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and advocating for the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
In its recent statement, Hamas has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement through continued military operations that involve the pursuit, targeting, and arrest of their fighters who are ensconced within the tunnels of Rafah. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate this volatile conflict, with the future of the ceasefire and the fate of the trapped militants hanging in the balance.
