Posted by: John Phoenix
The presence of Qassam resistance fighters remaining inside Rafah’s tunnel network has become a central point in negotiations over the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, with discussions ongoing between US and Israeli officials.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that an official from Israel’s inner cabinet said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Jared Kushner had reached a provisional arrangement concerning approximately 200 Palestinian resistance fighters located in tunnels in Rafah, in southern Gaza.
According to the official, the proposal would allow those fighters to leave safely.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Kushner requested that Israel permit the fighters to relocate to areas of Gaza still under Hamas administration.
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The outlet added that Israeli assessments suggest the issue will eventually be resolved, as Washington does not want anything to jeopardize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. However, other media cited an Israeli official saying no final agreement has yet been reached.
Later, Israel’s Channel 12 quoted an American source as saying that Washington is intent on resolving the situation without slowing the implementation of the agreement’s remaining phases, and that the matter may take several more days to conclude.
The question of resistance fighters still inside tunnels in Rafah has become central to discussions about moving to the next phase of the ceasefire, which has been in effect since October 10. Israel has used the issue to create obstacles delaying its implementation.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed that the fighters are members of their forces who remained inside an area that is currently under Israeli control in Rafah.
The fighters are positioned in tunnels within the so-called “yellow line,” the zone from which Israeli forces withdrew during the first phase of the ceasefire. The entire city of Rafah falls inside this area.
Israel estimates the number of fighters is between 150 and 200. Hamas and the Qassam Brigades have not confirmed any figures.
(PC, AJA)