Hamas militants entrenched in the Israeli-controlled Rafah region of Gaza have stated that they will not submit to Israeli authorities, emphasizing the need for mediators to resolve the escalating crisis that poses a threat to the recently established ceasefire.
Sources familiar with the ongoing mediation processes informed Reuters that a potential solution to the deadlock could involve the militants surrendering their weapons in return for safe passage to other parts of the enclave. Egyptian mediators have suggested that the fighters in Rafah relinquish their arms to Egypt and disclose information about tunnels in the area for subsequent demolition, as revealed by an Egyptian security official involved in the discussions.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, in a recent declaration, attributed the responsibility for the situation to Israel, asserting that the fighters were acting in self-defense. The group emphasized its firm stance by stating, “The enemy should be aware that the notion of surrender is not part of the Al-Qassam Brigades’ principles.”
Israel confirmed the reception of human remains believed to be those of Israeli officer Hadar Goldin, who Hamas claims was killed during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Israeli forensic experts are set to identify the remains upon their arrival in Israel.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have persisted in targeting Palestinians in Gaza, resulting in the death of one individual in the Bureij refugee camp and two others in different regions of the territory. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers were responsible for injuring at least seven Palestinians in two separate incidents. Additionally, the settlers were reported to have displayed Israeli flags along a roadway connecting Nablus and Ramallah.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted on Thursday that the proposed arrangement concerning approximately 200 militants could serve as a pivotal step in the broader initiative to disarm Hamas forces throughout Gaza. While the Al-Qassam Brigades refrained from directly addressing the negotiations concerning the Rafah fighters, they hinted at the potential repercussions on the ceasefire.
Emphasizing the urgency for resolving the crisis, the group stated, “Mediators must fulfill their duties and find a resolution to ensure the continuity of the ceasefire and prevent the enemy from exploiting the situation to target innocent civilians in Gaza.”
Since the commencement of the US-mediated ceasefire on October 10 in Gaza, the Rafah area has witnessed at least two assaults on Israeli forces, which Israel has attributed to Hamas. However, Hamas has denied any involvement in these incidents. The region has experienced heightened tensions since the ceasefire came into effect, resulting in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and subsequent retaliatory actions by Israel that led to casualties among Palestinian civilians.