Crossing the Yellow Line: Why Amit Segal Warns the Tunnel Threat is Far from Over

The fragile quiet in the southern Gaza Strip was shattered on Tuesday when a group of armed Hamas terrorists emerged from a hidden tunnel shaft to launch an attack on IDF forces. This incident has brought renewed attention to the persistent threat of underground infrastructure that remains operational despite months of intense military operations. Political commentator Amit Segal addressed the unusual skirmish, warning that the danger is much more widespread than many realize. Segal noted that terrorists used a tunnel opening to stage their ambush before attempting to retreat back into the earth, stating that "dozens of tunnels still cross the yellow line, and this is a conservative estimate."

The incident began in western Rafah when IDF surveillance spotters identified six armed terrorists moving in close proximity to Israeli troops deployed in the southern sector. Upon identification, IDF tanks were quickly dispatched to the point of contact to engage the cell. The terrorists opened fire on one of the tanks, leading to a heavy exchange of fire that eventually included Israeli airstrikes in the area. According to official reports, the military successfully eliminated two of the terrorists during the battle, while searches continue for the remaining members of the cell who fled the scene.

The IDF has officially characterized the ambush as a "gross violation of the ceasefire agreement" that was intended to maintain a level of stability in the region. The fact that the terrorists were able to appear so close to Israeli armored units suggests that the underground network in Rafah is still being utilized for tactical maneuvers. Segal’s assessment highlights a growing concern among security experts that the "yellow line," which represents the defensive perimeter, is still being breached by a network of shafts that have yet to be neutralized.

As the event continues to unfold, the military is conducting extensive scans of the surrounding terrain to locate the specific tunnel entrance used by the cell. This latest outbreak of violence underscores the reality that Hamas terrorists remain committed to using subterranean warfare to bypass surface defenses and strike at Israeli targets. The persistence of these tunnels remains a primary obstacle to long term security in the area, as each active shaft provides a platform for future ceasefire violations and attacks against IDF personnel.