Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz 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 zones where Israeli forces remain deployed in the Gaza Strip. Katz said Israel’s policy in Gaza is clear: the primary objective is to eliminate Hamas terrorists and destroy tunnels inside the Yellow Line under Israeli control. In addition, Israel aims to recover the bodies of seven deceased hostages still held in the enclave, disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gaza.
Katz made these statements on social media, reiterating Israel’s stance on the ongoing situation. The announcement comes as roughly 200 Hamas fighters are reportedly trapped in underground tunnels in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. Earlier, an Israeli government official disclosed that Israel had rejected a mediators’ request to allow the militants safe passage to an area outside Israeli control.
The current ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which took effect on 10 October, includes several phases: 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 7 October 2023.
Despite the ceasefire, smaller‑scale strikes have continued almost daily in Gaza, killing at least 240 Palestinians and injuring 607 others by Israeli fire since 11 October, 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 developments, seeking a lasting resolution to the conflict. As events unfold, Israel’s actions within the Yellow Line area will be closely watched, and the fate of the trapped Hamas fighters remains uncertain.
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