Israel reportedly offers trapped Hamas fighters in Rafah chance to surrender, relocate

Hamas calls for pressure to release the fighters, acknowledging them for first time; ‘It appears they have decided to become martyrs’ official reportedly says

Israel reportedly conveyed a proposal to Hamas last week that would allow the release of dozens of Hamas fighters believed to be trapped in tunnels in an IDF-controlled area of eastern Rafah, as long as they surrender.

The report came as Hamas called for international pressure on Israel to release the operatives, the first time it acknowledged their situation. They have been in the tunnels for weeks, and Israel has either killed or captured dozens who have tried to flee.

According to the report on Channel 12, which cited an Israeli official, Israel sent the proposal to senior Hamas officials through mediating countries. Under the proposal, the remaining fighters in the area would be permitted to emerge if they surrender and agree to be transferred to Israeli prisons.

They would later be eligible for release and relocation to the Hamas-controlled area of the Gaza Strip, on the condition that they pledge not to return to terrorism and agree to disarm. As of the beginning of the ceasefire on October 10, Israel controls the eastern half of Gaza, while the western half is under Hamas control.

Since the proposal was made, the operatives have not surrendered and have on multiple occasions emerged from tunnels in attempts to flee or attack IDF forces. Channel 12 noted that it is unclear whether Hamas leaders can even communicate with the trapped fighters.

“We gave the terrorists in Rafah the option to live and to leave the tunnels,” an Israeli official told Channel 12. “So far, they have not agreed to meet the conditions we set. It appears they have decided to become martyrs.”

In the past week, the IDF has reported killing over 20 terror operatives and capturing a further eight, after they tried to flee from the tunnels in Rafah. On Wednesday, the military said it killed four Palestinian gunmen and captured two other operatives who emerged from tunnels in IDF-held territory.

Also on Wednesday, Hamas called on mediating countries to pressure Israel to allow safe passage for the operatives.

“We hold [Israel] fully responsible for the lives of our fighters and call upon our mediators to take immediate action to pressure [Israel] to allow our sons to return home,” the terror group said in a statement.

It was the first time Hamas had publicly acknowledged that its members were trapped in the tunnels.

Earlier this month, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who played a central role in brokering the ceasefire, alluded during a business conference in Miami to the “200 fighters who are trapped in Rafah.” He said that their surrender, including turning over their weapons, could be a “test” for both parties in the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas.

Israel has resisted giving the fighters unconditional free passage and has insisted that Hamas disarm, a key piece of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.

In its statement on Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through the “pursuit, liquidation and arrest of resistance fighters besieged in the tunnels of Rafah.”