Hamas Terrorists Trapped in Rafah Tunnels "Out of Contact" – Israel Believes Many Have Been Killed

Israeli defense sources now estimate that a significant portion of the Hamas fighters sealed inside tunnels in the Rafah area have been eliminated in recent days during ongoing IDF offensive operations.According to Channel 12’s Amit Segal reporting today (Thursday), the trapped terrorists have been completely silent and “out of contact” for nearly a week, no communication since the end of last weekend.

These are the fighters who remained underground in tunnels inside Israel’s controlled “yellow line” zone (the Philadelphi Corridor area) after the ceasefire agreement halted major combat. Initial reports spoke of up to 200 terrorists, but updated Israeli assessments put the real number much lower.

Hamas has demanded Israel grant the trapped fighters a “safe passage” back into Hamas-held Gaza, a demand Israel has rejected outright. Israeli officials have urged the government to tell the terrorists bluntly: “Surrender or die.”

With no signs of life from the tunnels and continued IDF strikes, many now believe the problem has effectively solved itself, provided the fighters are confirmed dead underground.

Israel has hit Rafah targets several times in recent weeks in response to Hamas ceasefire violations. On Wednesday, the IDF struck Khan Younis heavily after terrorists fired on Israeli troops, killing (among others) Hamas’s Zeitoun battalion commander and the head of its naval force. Palestinian media reported at least 18 killed or wounded.

Last night, the IDF Spokesman said: “Terrorists fired at the area where our forces operate in Khan Younis, a clear breach of the ceasefire. No injuries to our troops. In response, the IDF, led by Southern Command and guided by the Shin Bet, began striking Hamas terror targets across Gaza.”