IDF eliminates six terrorists in Rafah firefight

The IDF can now confirm that all six terrorists were killed during the clashes.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli forces eliminated six armed terrorists during a firefight in western Rafah on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed Wednesday morning, calling the incident a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, IDF surveillance units identified the gunmen operating near Israeli troops in an area under Israeli control west of Rafah. The armed suspects posed an immediate threat to forces deployed in the southern Gaza Strip.

Tanks were dispatched to the scene and opened fire after the terrorists were identified. The gunmen returned fire at one of the tanks, prompting an exchange that included strikes by the Israeli Air Force.

Following continued engagements and searches in the area, the IDF said it can now confirm that all six terrorists were killed during the clashes.

The military said the terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft, with some attempting to retreat back into the tunnel during the firefight. Weapons and additional military equipment were recovered from the terrorists after the engagement.

The operation was carried out by the combat team of the IDF’s 7th Brigade. The military said it views any breach of the ceasefire agreement with the utmost severity and will continue to act against attempts by terrorist organizations in Gaza to carry out attacks on Israeli forces or civilians.

The Rafah clash followed a similar incident on Monday, when Israeli forces operating in southern Gaza neutralized four armed terrorists who were identified approaching troops and recovered weapons and equipment assessed to have been intended for intelligence collection on IDF activity.

These incidents come as international pressure continues to build on Hamas to move toward disarmament in the near term, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that failure to comply within a short period would carry serious consequences.

Against that backdrop, two sources familiar with the matter told i24NEWS that Trump is expected later Wednesday to announce a transition to the next phase of the Gaza framework, which would include the establishment of a peace council and the formation of a Palestinian technocratic government.