Israel Denies Safe Passage for Hamas Fighters in Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied reports that Israel would grant safe passage to approximately 200 Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels beneath Israeli-controlled areas of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. An official stated that the prime minister "is not allowing safe passage for 200 Hamas terrorists."

Earlier reports suggested that Israel might permit these fighters to retreat to Hamas-controlled zones if they surrendered their weapons or if Hamas agreed to return the bodies of slain hostages. These reports prompted criticism from across the political spectrum. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the idea as "utter madness," while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded that all 200 terrorists be "killed or imprisoned." Opposition leader Benny Gantz warned that allowing the fighters to reorganize would be a strategic mistake, stating, "We mustn’t let them out of the tunnels and reorganize—especially not when we still have hostages in Gaza."

The situation in Rafah remains tense, with Israeli forces maintaining control over parts of the area and Hamas operatives reportedly still present in tunnels. The ceasefire agreement signed on October 9 focused on an initial ceasefire, IDF pullback, hostage-prisoner swaps, and humanitarian aid provisions. However, recent incidents, including attacks on Israeli troops in Rafah, have led to accusations of ceasefire violations by both sides.