Rafah: The Israeli army has announced that it killed nine Palestinian fighters within a tunnel located in the city of Rafah, situated in southern Gaza. The military operation reportedly took place on Friday, as part of ongoing tensions in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army stated that over 30 fighters who attempted to escape the underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah were also eliminated. Despite the claims, Hamas has remained silent on the report as of 1300 GMT. The group has continually emphasized its dedication to the ceasefire agreement, urging mediators to ensure Israeli compliance with the terms.

In recent developments, Israeli media have indicated that approximately 200 Hamas fighters are trapped inside a tunnel in Rafah. There has been no response from Tel Aviv regarding Hamas’s and mediators’ calls for providing these fighters safe passage to territories under their control.

Rafah is currently within areas still occupied by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. The region has been under intense scrutiny following a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Trkiye, with support from the United States. This agreement, which commenced its first phase on October 10, includes provisions for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as well as the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing body excluding Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of nearly 70,000 people, predominantly women and children, and have injured over 170,000 others.