Report: Hamas terrorists holed up in Rafah tunnel refuse to surrender weapons

Despite efforts by Turkey and the US to broker a deal to enable Hamas terrorists holed up in a Rafah tunnel to give up weapons and go into exile, the gunmen are reportedly refusing to surrender, making a confrontation inevitable.

By World Israel News Staff

A group of armed Hamas terrorists holed up in a tunnel network underneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah have turned down offers to be given safe passage out of the area in exchange for disarming and pledging never to return to terrorism, according to a Palestinian source in Gaza.

The official told Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, that the more than 100 terrorists who remain in a terror tunnel under Rafah have rejected overtures for a compromise deal enabling them to survive if they surrender to Israeli forces, allowing them to live in exile in exchange for a commitment to abandon terrorism.

According to the official, the terrorists have said that they will not leave the tunnel network unless they are confident they can do so “with dignity.”

The trapped terrorists, located deep inside Israeli-controlled territory, have been cut off from the rest of the Hamas organization since the resumption of hostilities in March.

It is estimated that between 100 and 200 terrorists were holed up in the tunnel network as of the beginning of November, though a number of gunmen have been killed after attempting to exit the underground system.

Monday’s report indicated that the remaining terrorists are commanded by a senior Hamas officer, likely a battalion commander or deputy commander.

Under the terms of the October Gaza ceasefire deal, the Israeli military can use deadly force against terrorists found on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line.

However, the Trump administration, at the behest of Turkey, has urged Israel to give the trapped terrorists the opportunity to disarm and peacefully evacuate the tunnel.

While Israel has not ruled out such an arrangement, there has been no official comment by Jerusalem on a deal offering clemency to the terrorists or allowing them safe passage.

It has been widely speculated that Hamas returned the remains of slain IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, held in Gaza since 2014, as part of a secret deal that included safe passage for the Rafah terrorists.