Hamas admits terrorists trapped in Rafah, says they won’t surrender

Hamas confirms reports that about 200 of its terrorists are trapped in a tunnel network under Rafah in southern Gaza, hints the terrorists will fight to the death rather than surrender.

By World Israel News Staff

The Hamas terror organization’s military wing confirmed on Sunday reports that a number of its operatives are trapped in underground tunnel networks in Israeli-controlled territory in southern Gaza.

Earlier this month, reports circulated in Israeli media outlets that some 200 Hamas terrorists were holed up in areas on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line in southern Gaza.

A report by Al Jazeera later claimed that the terrorists are located in tunnel networks under the city of Rafah.

The Israeli government reportedly considered plans to grant the terrorists safe passage out of Rafah to Hamas-controlled areas in exchange for the return of the remains of Hadar Goldin, an IDF soldier killed in 2014 and held captive in Gaza ever since.

The Prime Minister’s Office later clarified that Israel would not permit armed terrorists to safely leave Rafah, fueling speculation that talks were underway to facilitate the terrorists’ peaceful disarming.

On Sunday, however, the al-Qassam Brigades confirmed the presence of its operatives in Rafah but emphasized that under no circumstances would they surrender to Israeli forces.

“The occupation bears full responsibility for the clashes with our fighters in Rafah, who are defending themselves within an area under its control,” the armed wing of Hamas said Sunday morning.

“Let the enemy know that the principle of surrender and submission to the enemy does not exist in the Qassam Brigades’ lexicon.”

The statement came as the terror group announced it was returning Goldin’s body Sunday afternoon.

Hamas is said to have unearthed the body during searches inside Rafah Saturday afternoon.

The recovery operation, conducted deep inside Israeli-controlled territory, was permitted by the IDF, in order to facilitate the return of slain hostages.

A coffin which Hamas claimed carried the remains of Hadar Goldin was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday before being transferred to Israel for identification and burial.