Reports emerging from multiple Israeli and international outlets indicate that approximately 200 Hamas fighters remain trapped in the tunnel networks beneath Rafah, as Israel has reportedly refused to grant them safe passage. The situation has heightened tensions in the southern Gaza region, where Israeli forces continue to operate along the Rafah corridor and adjacent zones of the border area.
According to updates from several Israeli media sources, including the Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post, the group of fighters is believed to be confined within the underground tunnel complex that runs beneath areas now controlled by the Israel Defense Forces. Intelligence officials claim the militants cannot retreat without directly engaging Israeli troops stationed near the surface. The network of tunnels in this sector was a central part of Hamas’ military logistics and has become a primary target for Israeli operations aimed at dismantling the group’s remaining infrastructure.
Earlier reports suggested that mediators had raised the possibility of allowing the trapped fighters to surrender under specific conditions or to evacuate unarmed through designated routes. Those discussions appear to have faltered, as Israeli leadership made clear that no form of immunity or safe passage will be extended. The latest statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirm that Israel will not permit the operatives to leave their positions freely. This decision reflects a broader stance against negotiated withdrawals or temporary ceasefires that could enable Hamas members to regroup elsewhere.
Military analysts note that the Rafah tunnels have been the focal point of sustained operations over the past several months. Israeli engineers have used ground-penetrating equipment and precision strikes to destroy portions of the tunnel system while sealing entry points. The trapped militants are thought to be part of Hamas’ remaining combat units that withdrew south after earlier confrontations in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. The tunnels have provided both shelter and transport routes, but increasing Israeli control over surface terrain has left the network isolated and fragmented.
The situation has drawn attention from international mediators, including U.S. and Egyptian officials, who continue to push for humanitarian access and civilian safety in the Rafah area. Israel maintains that its actions are focused strictly on eliminating remaining combatants and securing its border. Humanitarian organizations have warned that ongoing operations could further disrupt already limited access to food, water, and medical aid in nearby districts where displaced residents have taken refuge.
For now, the standoff continues underground. The trapped Hamas fighters reportedly face deteriorating conditions, with dwindling supplies and few options for retreat or surrender. Israeli forces maintain their positions above, reinforcing a blockade that prevents any movement from the tunnel network toward open areas.
As of Monday, Israel’s position remains firm. The government has made no indication of reconsidering safe passage, framing the confrontation as the final phase of neutralizing Hamas’ tunnel-based resistance in the Gaza Strip. The coming days are expected to reveal whether continued pressure will lead to capture, surrender, or renewed fighting beneath Rafah’s battered landscape.