An Israeli air and infantry operation resulted in the killing of four Hamas combatants who emerged from underground tunnels in the eastern area of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, where dozens of militants remained entrenched. According to military reports, many militants left due to a shortage of water and supplies amid a sustained siege by Israeli forces, which included bombings, destruction of escape routes, and constant pressure on the underground network. In a video released by the army, the commander of the Nahal Brigade, responsible for the operation, displayed a Tavor rifle recovered from the arms of the slain. According to the IDF, this weapon belonged to a soldier killed in combat during the 2023 offensive. As the so-called 'final phase' of the campaign in Rafah advances, the IDF seeks to eliminate the remaining underground strongholds, which Tel Aviv considers 'the last line of defense for the terrorist organization.' The operation also comes amid an Israeli offer for fighters remaining in the tunnels to surrender or evacuate as prisoners, under guaranteed safety conditions. 'They either surrender or we kill them,' warned the officer. The incident marks a new turn in the Israeli offensive on Gaza, focused on dismantling the vast network of tunnels that served as the main refuge and operational base for Hamas. The elimination of alleged command-level leaders, along with the severe logistical strain on the tunnels, suggests that Hamas's operational capacity in southern Gaza may be seriously compromised. According to Israeli military sources, among the dead are believed to be the commander of the 'East Rafah Battalion' and his deputy, though authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identities. The attack occurred at dawn when the local air force detected insurgents emerging from the tunnel network, which, following Israeli army advances, became partially encircled under the old city of Rafah. So far, according to authorities, none have accepted the proposal, and the siege remains active. The new military action could anticipate a decisive escalation in Rafah. The IDF reported that in addition to the four killed, no captures were recorded during that sortie. Army sources have indicated that in recent weeks, over thirty terrorists have been eliminated and eight captured while attempting to flee the tunnels—considered by Israel as the final refuge for militant factions. 'This is what happens to those who mess with us.'
