The Israeli military announced the elimination of three militants in Rafah, located in Gaza’s southern region, during an operation aimed at dismantling tunnels under the control of those militants. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, established on October 10, which has ostensibly reduced hostilities, though sporadic violence continues.
The military’s statement detailed that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel were engaged in activities to dismantle underground infrastructure when they encountered four armed individuals on the eastern side of a designated operational area. In response to this identification, IDF forces conducted a strike that resulted in the death of three of the individuals, with no reported Israeli casualties during the operation.
Despite the ceasefire, both Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations regarding violations of this agreement. Since its initiation, Gaza’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas, has reported that at least 245 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli fire. Conversely, during the same timeframe, Israeli military sources stated that they had incurred the loss of three soldiers in Gaza.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, has also facilitated the release of all 20 living hostages from Gaza. Additionally, militants returned the remains of 24 deceased captives, while the bodies of four hostages remain unaccounted for, still in Gaza. These developments highlight the fragile nature of the truce, as incidents of violence and ongoing tensions continue to strain relations between the two parties.
