Hamas demands temporary immunity for terrorists in tunnels beyond Gaza’s Yellow Line

Notably, this indicated that the IDF is aware that there are still terrorists in tunnels in certain parts of Gaza, which would be a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas has demanded, through mediators on Sunday, temporary immunity for terrorists stationed in underground tunnels in Rafah to move to areas within the Yellow Line, a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post.

Israel is operating in the Rafah area where Hamas terrorists are underground.

“For several months, the IDF has been surrounding and pursuing Hamas terrorists hiding in the ‘enclave’ in the Rafah area, terrorists who killed three of our brave soldiers just in the past few days,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, arguing that if the military allows them to leave safely before it has a chance to kill them, it is “security and moral stupidity.”

“These terrorists deserve death,” he argued.

Notably, this indicated that the IDF is aware that there are still terrorists in tunnels in certain parts of Gaza, which would be a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli media reported that Hamas is seeking immunity for around 200 terrorists. Israeli officials did not comment on the matter at the time of publication.

Army Radio reported that the group of three terrorists killed IDF soldiers in the past few weeks, and have also fired at IDF forces operating in Gaza.

Army Radio reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Defense Ministry for comment. At press time, neither has made a statement.

The Yellow Line is the line in Gaza that IDF troops have withdrawn to. Al Jazeera reported on Sunday that Hamas and Israel are engaged in direct talks.

Mediators are considering carrying out operations in Gaza to take the terrorists beyond the Green Line, Al Jazeera added.

The report stated that the terrorists would be taken out of the tunnels beyond the Yellow Line with Red Cross vehicles. The plan is allegedly waiting for Israeli approval.

Last month, the IDF considered further encroaching into areas in the Gaza Strip it had previously withdrawn from and seizing further territory in response to Hamas’s violations of the ceasefire.

IDF strikes terrorist beyond Yellow Line

This comes after a Palestinian terrorist crossed the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip and threatened IDF troops in the area, the military stated on Sunday.

The Israel Air Force struck and killed the terrorist after the incursion, the IDF added.

This comes after the IDF began marking the Yellow Line with markers throughout the Gaza Strip.

The withdrawal to this boundary was done in accordance with the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement.