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Rafah Raids After Tunnel Breakouts Test Ceasefire, Israel Says 6 Militants Killed and 5 Captured

Mediators face a tunnel standoff seen as pivotal to preserving the fragile pause in fighting.

Overview

  • The Israeli military said about 15 Hamas fighters emerged from tunnels near eastern Rafah, with airstrikes killing six and five others surrendering and transferred to Shin Bet custody.
  • Gaza medical services reported at least 21–24 Palestinians killed in the latest strikes, with local authorities counting roughly 300 deaths since the October 10 ceasefire began.
  • Crossings at Kerem Shalom and Al-Awja were closed on Nov. 21, halting convoys and leaving trucks parked on the Egyptian side of the Rafah terminal, according to Egyptian Red Crescent and security sources.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Rafah crossing will reopen only after the return of three deceased Israeli hostages and asserted that Israel acts without needing U.S. approval.
  • A U.S. official said the administration supports immediate Israeli responses to ceasefire violations, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia condemned the operations, and a Hamas delegation traveled to Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators.