The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had eliminated four Palestinian militants who emerged from tunnels in Rafah, situated in the southern region of the Gaza Strip. This action comes amid ongoing operations by Israeli troops in the eastern areas of Rafah, where scores of Hamas fighters are believed to be sheltered within an extensive tunnel network.
According to a statement from the Israeli army, the militants were identified as they exited from underground tunnels, which are under Israeli military surveillance. The operation involved coordination with the Israeli Air Force, leading to the targeted actions against the militants.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reiterated their commitment to maintaining their presence in the Southern Command area, stating they will continue operations aimed at mitigating immediate threats, while still adhering to the terms of the recent ceasefire agreement.
Earlier reports revealed that on Friday, more than 30 Hamas fighters attempting to flee the tunnel system had been killed. These developments coincide with ongoing negotiations regarding the status of those still located within the southern Gaza tunnels. On Wednesday, Hamas made a public appeal for mediating nations to pressure Israel into permitting safe passage for its members, marking the first time the group has openly addressed its precarious situation.
The precarious ceasefire, brokered between Israel and Hamas with the facilitation of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, officially took effect on October 10. Under this ceasefire, the Israeli army has withdrawn beyond what is referred to as the Yellow Line, a surface marker delineated with yellow concrete blocks. Reports from a senior Hamas official indicate the estimated number of militants operating within the tunnels ranges between 60 and 80.
However, the ceasefire remains tenuous, with both sides accusing one another of violations. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains critical, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. The current escalation was ignited by Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of 1,221 individuals in Israel. In retaliation, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 70,100 people, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza, recognized by the United Nations as credible. Since the ceasefire began, at least 354 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes.
