Israeli Military Eliminates 40 Hamas Fighters in Gaza Tunnel Operation

Jerusalem:

The Israeli military announced Thursday that their forces have eliminated approximately 40 Hamas militants who were trapped in tunnel networks beneath Rafah in southern Gaza, in territory now under Israeli control.

Israeli and U.S. officials had previously reported that around 200 militants were confined in these tunnels for months. According to Israeli media reports, some of these fighters had emerged over time and were either killed in subsequent confrontations with Israeli forces or had surrendered.

Washington and other intermediaries had been attempting to negotiate an agreement whereby the Hamas fighters would surrender their weapons in exchange for safe passage to other areas within Gaza. However, these negotiations have stalled.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff had indicated that such an agreement would serve as a test case for a more comprehensive process to disarm Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military stated on Thursday that among the militants killed were at least three local commanders and the son of Ghazi Hamad, one of Hamas' exiled leaders.

Some sources within Hamas confirmed the death of at least one commander, Mohammad al-Bawab, though the organization has not issued an official confirmation of this report.

Hamas has not officially disclosed the number of fighters trapped in the tunnels or how many might remain.

When approached for comment on Israel's claim regarding the killing of the 40 gunmen, a spokesperson for Hamas in Gaza declined to respond.