JERUSALEM/ ISTANBUL

The Israeli army on Friday claimed to have killed nine Palestinian fighters inside a tunnel in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza.

In a statement, the army further alleged that more than 30 fighters “who attempted to flee the underground terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah have been eliminated.”

As of 1300 GMT, Hamas had not commented on the Israeli report, though the group has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and urged mediators to compel Israel to do the same.

In recent days, Israeli media have reported that around 200 Hamas fighters are trapped inside a tunnel in Rafah, and that Tel Aviv has not yet responded to demands by Hamas and mediators to allow them safe passage to areas under the group’s control.

The city of Rafah lies within the zones still occupied by the Israeli army inside the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, with US backing, whose first phase came into effect on Oct. 10.

Phase one of the ceasefire deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.

Israel has killed nearly 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,000 others in attacks in Gaza since October 2023.