Gaza – Israeli forces report killing four Palestinian militants emerging from a tunnel in the eastern Rafah region of the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement released Sunday, November 30, 2024. The Israeli military alleges the militants were identified and eliminated with air support.
The incident occurs amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and accusations of violations from both Israel and Hamas. Dozens of hamas fighters are believed to be sheltering in a network of tunnels beneath areas now controlled by Israeli forces. this situation presents a complex challenge to the fragile truce brokered last month.
The Israeli military stated, “Overnight, four individuals who emerged from underground infrastructure in the area were identified. Guided by the Israeli Air Force, the troops eliminated the militants.” They affirmed that troops in Southern Command “remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to eliminate any immediate threat.”
On Friday, the military reported killing more than 30 fighters attempting to escape the tunnel network. Sources indicated Thursday that discussions were underway regarding the fate of those remaining within the tunnels. hamas publicly acknowledged the situation Wednesday, requesting mediating countries pressure Israel to allow safe passage for the fighters.
The current ceasefire, which began on October 10, was facilitated by the United States, with Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar serving as mediators. The agreement involved a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers behind the Yellow Line, a demarcated boundary within the Gaza Strip. Hamas militants are reportedly positioned in tunnels located on the Israeli-controlled side of this line.
A Hamas official in Gaza estimated the number of fighters in the tunnels to be between 60 and 80. Despite the ceasefire, both sides continue to accuse each other of violations, while the Gaza Strip remains in a severe humanitarian crisis.