Hamas Fighters Trapped Underground as Gaza Ceasefire Faces Pressure

The situation in Gaza remains precarious as numerous Hamas militants are reportedly trapped in underground tunnels beneath Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Despite a ceasefire that began on October 10, 2023, the presence of up to 200 Hamas fighters in these tunnels poses a significant challenge for both Israeli military operations and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace.

The tunnels are divided among independent cells, complicating the military’s strategy and creating a sensitive diplomatic issue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he will not allow these militants to simply emerge from their hideouts and return to Hamas-controlled areas of Gaza. Hamas has firmly stated that its fighters will not surrender or disarm, further complicating the situation.

According to sources within the Israeli government, the Trump administration, represented by US envoy Jared Kushner, is urging Israel to find a viable solution to the dilemma posed by the fighters. A senior official noted that the Americans are eager to move forward with the next phase of the ceasefire, which includes establishing an international security force in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.

One proposed solution involves potentially deporting the trapped militants to a third country, with Turkey mentioned as a possibility. However, no concrete plan has been finalized. Netanyahu’s office has consistently denied reports suggesting any commitment to release the militants or resolve the matter in favor of Hamas.

Without a resolution, the militants remain isolated, with limited access to food and water, forcing them into a dire choice: surrender or continue fighting. Muhammad Shehada, an expert from the European Council on Foreign Relations, has pointed out that Hamas itself is uncertain about the number of fighters still alive in the tunnels. This uncertainty is heightening tensions, as isolated Hamas cells have been implicated in recent attacks against Israeli forces that threaten the fragile ceasefire.

On October 19, following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in Rafah, Israel launched airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 44 Palestinians. Less than two weeks later, further military action resulted in over 100 Palestinian fatalities, including many children, after another soldier was killed.

Currently, neither Israel nor Hamas appears willing to make concessions. On Sunday, the military wing of Hamas, the Al Qassam Brigades, issued a statement rejecting the idea of surrendering to Israel, emphasizing that mediators must find a solution to ensure the ceasefire remains intact.

As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to engage with Hamas militants underground, they have conducted operations aimed at dismantling military infrastructure in the area. On Wednesday, IDF troops reported encounters with armed individuals in territories under Israeli control, which they interpreted as a legitimate action under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement. Conversely, Hamas views these military actions as violations of the ceasefire terms.

Political pressure on Netanyahu is mounting from right-wing factions in Israel, urging him to refuse any agreements that would allow militants to safely return to Hamas territory. Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman expressed on social media that the only options for those responsible for attacks on Israeli soldiers should be surrender or death.

While the issue of the underground militants may not entirely derail the ceasefire efforts, it represents a significant obstacle for negotiators. The United States is heavily invested in ensuring that the ceasefire proceeds to its next phase, underscoring the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.