The Times of Israel reports that Hamas operatives wounded six IDF soldiers in Rafah after coming from terror tunnels in southern Gaza. Of the six IDF soldiers injured, only one of them sustained serious wounds. An airstrike in nearby Khan Younis was later conducted by the IDF, the details of which have not been revealed yet.
According to a preliminary military investigation, the incident began as the Golani soldiers spotted a suspicious figure covered in a blanket entering a building. A Namer armored personnel carrier (APC) with troops was dispatched to the area to aid in the search for the suspected terror operative.
The soldiers in the APC then spotted two operatives who emerged from a tunnel, and the troops opened fire on them. As the troops fired, one of the operatives launched an RPG missile at the APC, wounding the five soldiers.
The soldiers managed to hit both operatives, killing one and wounding the second. The wounded operative, who had fired the RPG, managed to flee back into the tunnel.
The IDF was searching the area for the operative who fled, along with the suspect spotted earlier.
Prime Minister Netanyahu held an emergency meeting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet director David Zini to weigh response options. The severity of the attack – a clear violation of the ceasefire – is being emphasized to the American government.
After the ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, up to 80 Hamas terrorists were left in Gaza and have been holed up in the tunnels beneath the city. The Israeli government has offered them passage out of the IDF-controlled area if the terrorists turn themselves in. The terror group has not responded to these terms, and operatives have been leaving tunnels to try to escape or to attack IDF soldiers.
By not turning over their terror operatives, Hamas isn’t just intentionally slowing down the ceasefire process – they’re fully resisting it. As things seem to grow more uncertain in Gaza, The Fellowship and our donors hold on to that which is certain – our continued support and prayers for the people and defenders of Israel.
