Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that the army would continue to eliminate Hamas operatives and destroy their tunnels within the Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza without any limitation. His comments yesterday came amid reports that the US is urging Israel to allow Hamas terrorists trapped in Rafah to return to areas of the Strip still under the group’s control.

Katz said Israel’s objective remains to disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gaza, alongside recovering the bodies of fallen hostages. Israeli intelligence estimates that roughly 200 armed Hamas gunmen are currently hiding in tunnels beneath Rafah.

Around 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The bodies of five Israelis and two foreign nationals are still held in Gaza.