Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that the military will continue to target Hamas and destroy tunnels within the designated “Yellow Line” area in Gaza without any restrictions. The Yellow Line refers to the areas where Israeli forces are still deployed in the Gaza Strip.
According to Katz, Israel’s policy in Gaza is clear, with the primary objective of destroying tunnels and eliminating Hamas terrorists within the Yellow Line under Israeli control. Additionally, Israel aims to recover the bodies of seven deceased hostages still held in the enclave and to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza. Katz made these statements on social media, reiterating Israel’s stance on the ongoing situation in Gaza.
The announcement comes as approximately 200 Hamas fighters are reportedly trapped in underground tunnels in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Earlier, an Israeli government official revealed that Israel had rejected a request by mediators to allow the militants safe passage to an area outside Israeli control.
The current ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which came into effect on October 10, includes several phases, such as partial Israeli troop withdrawals, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and a significant increase in aid deliveries to the enclave. Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli captives and handed over 20 bodies, while Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences and 1,718 prisoners arrested in Gaza after October 7, 2023.
Despite the ceasefire, smaller-scale strikes have continued almost daily in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 240 Palestinians and injuring 607 others by Israeli fire since October 11, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The total death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 now stands at nearly 70,000.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with ongoing military operations and a fragile ceasefire in place. The international community continues to monitor the situation, with a focus on finding a lasting resolution to the conflict. As the situation develops, Israel’s actions within the Yellow Line area are likely to be closely watched, and the fate of the trapped Hamas fighters remains uncertain.