Overview
- About 200 Hamas militants are reported trapped in tunnel networks beneath Israeli-controlled areas, particularly around Rafah, and cannot withdraw without risking clashes with IDF troops.
- The IDF has reiterated that anyone crossing the Yellow Line that separates the areas under the cease-fire arrangement will be treated as a hostile actor.
- Netanyahu’s office denied media reports that militants might exit if they surrendered their weapons, saying no amnesty or safe passage would be granted.
- Haaretz reported that the decision followed pressure from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to take a hard line.
- Opposition leader Benny Gantz warned against allowing militants to reorganize while hostages remain in Gaza, and Hamas denied responsibility for cease-fire attacks and said it has lost contact with cells in occupied zones.