The Israeli military has announced the results of a recent operation targeting tunnel networks in the Gaza Strip. Officials stated that forces killed more than 40 Palestinian fighters over the past week.
This announcement came in an official statement released on Sunday. The operations focused on areas near Rafah in southern Gaza. Earlier on Sunday, the army reported a separate incident. It stated that troops killed four individuals who emerged from a tunnel in the same region overnight.
According to the military statement, troops have concentrated their efforts in eastern Rafah for the past 40 days. The stated objective is to dismantle the remaining underground tunnel routes in the area.
Another Hamas terrorist crawls from a tunnel like a rat and surrenders to the IDF. Just this week, over 40 were killed or captured, including their commander. Their tunnels have become their death traps. Surrender or death are their only options. pic.twitter.com/SOe9vTeLr6
— Uri Kurlianchik (@VerminusM) December 1, 2025The operation also aims to target fighters using these tunnels for refuge. The military confirmed the destruction of dozens of tunnel shafts and related infrastructure sites both above and below ground. This military action occurs alongside reported diplomatic efforts. Multiple sources informed AFP on Thursday that negotiations are underway concerning the fighters still within the southern Gaza tunnel network.
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The Hamas group publicly addressed the situation for the first time on Wednesday. It called on mediating countries to pressure Israel to allow safe passage for these individuals. The Israeli military continues its operations with the stated goal of neutralising the tunnel threat.
