Trending:Putin India visitIndia-Russia tiesIndiGo cancellationsIPL 2026 auctionEpstein islandDhurandharIsrael says around 40 Hamas militants killed in Gaza tunnelsFP News Desk • December 4, 2025, 21:01:02 ISTWhatsapp Facebook TwitterThe Israeli military said on Thursday that its forces have killed around 40 Hamas militants who had been trapped in tunnels below Rafah in southern Gaza, in an area now under Israeli controlAdvertisementSubscribe Join Us+ Follow us On GoogleChoose Firstpost on GooglePalestinian Hamas militants release female Israeli soldier Agam Berger held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Thursday. Reuters fileThe Israeli military on Thursday said that its forces have killed as many as 40 Hamas militants who had been trapped in tunnels beneath Rafah in southern Gaza, an area now under Israeli control. According to a Reuters report, citing Israeli and US officials, around 200 militants had been confined in the tunnels for months. Some have since emerged, only to be killed in clashes with Israeli forces or to surrender, added the report, citing Israeli media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADEfforts by Washington and other mediators to negotiate a deal allowing the Hamas fighters to lay down their arms in exchange for safe passage to other parts of the enclave have stalled, leaving the militants vulnerable to Israeli operations. More from World Israel's latest strike in Gaza kills 5, including 2 children; IDF says 5 soldiers wounded 10 killed in Israeli operation in southern Syria’s Beit Jin, 6 IDF soldiers injuredUS special envoy Steve Witkoff had said the deal would be a test for a broader process to disarm Hamas across Gaza. The killed militants included at least three local commanders, the Israeli military said on Thursday, as well as the son of one of Hamas’ exiled leaders, Ghazi Hamad. Some Hamas sources confirmed the death of at least one commander, Mohammad al-Bawab, though the group has not officially confirmed the report. Hamas has not officially confirmed the number of those trapped or how many may remain. Reuters reported that a spokesperson for the group in Gaza declined to comment on Israel’s alleged killing of the 40 gunmen. With inputs from agenciesFollow Firstpost on Google. Get insightful explainers, sharp opinions, and in-depth latest news on everything from geopolitics and diplomacy to World News.
