Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Hundreds of Hamas Fighters Trapped in Gaza Tunnels Pose Ceasefire Threat
Imagine there's a big underground maze in Gaza where Hamas fighters are hiding.
The Israeli army has been trying to block off parts of this maze.
Recently, some Israeli soldiers went to close off a tunnel section, but Hamas fighters came out of a hidden tunnel and attacked them, killing two soldiers.
This happened even though there was a ceasefire, or a pause in fighting.
Because Israel has been blocking tunnels, many Hamas fighters are now stuck underground with not much food or a way to get out.
Both Hamas and Israel have different ideas about what should happen to these trapped fighters.
Hamas wants them to be allowed to go to a safe area, but Israel wants them to surrender or be captured.
This disagreement is making it hard to agree on the next steps for the ceasefire.
It's also linked to getting more hostages back.
Israel worries that if they kill the trapped fighters, Hamas might stop returning the bodies of hostages they hold.
So, Israel is trying to capture them instead.
The United States and some Arab countries are involved in trying to help sort this out and move forward with peace.
Hundreds of Hamas fighters are trapped in tunnels in Israeli-controlled Gaza, creating a threat to the current ceasefire.
A recent clash in a tunnel resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers, prompting Israeli airstrikes.
Hamas desires safe passage for trapped fighters, while Israel insists on their surrender or death.
The fate of these fighters is a major hurdle in ceasefire negotiations, impacting hostage release talks.
Israel's strategy includes capturing fighters rather than killing them to avoid jeopardizing the return of deceased hostages.
- Who
- Hundreds of Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels, Israeli engineering troops, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Hamas negotiators, Arab officials, U.S. officials.
- What
- Hundreds of Hamas fighters are trapped in tunnels in Israeli-controlled Gaza, posing a threat to a fragile cease-fire. Clashes have occurred, leading to Israeli airstrikes. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the fate of these fighters, with Hamas seeking safe passage and Israel demanding surrender or death. The situation impacts broader ceasefire negotiations, including hostage exchanges and the potential deployment of an international force.
- When
- Last month (tunnel demolition and initial deadly encounter), Wednesday (Defense Minister's statement), Monday (Finance Minister's statement), Sunday (Hamas re-establishing communication), last week (talks to free fighters began).
- Where
- Gaza, specifically within tunnels in Israeli-controlled areas including Rafah, east of Khan Younis, Beit Hanoun, and Shuja’iyya.
- Why
- The fighters became trapped following Israeli efforts to destroy Hamas's tunnel system. Their predicament and the potential for further clashes are a major threat to the cease-fire. What to do with them is a significant obstacle in negotiations.
Hamas
Israel
Fate of Trapped Fighters
Hamas
Hamas wants Israel to provide the fighters with safe passage into Hamas-controlled territory, and has stated they did not order recent attacks on Israeli troops. They also claim to have lost communication with the fighters in March but recently re-established contact.
Israel
Israel wants the trapped fighters to surrender or be killed, with the military aiming to destroy tunnels and eliminate terrorists. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the IDF will act 'without any restrictions within the yellow area under our control'. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated fighters will not be granted safe passage after political outcry. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called letting them leave safely a 'security and moral folly'.
Ceasefire Negotiations and Hostage Returns
Hamas
Hamas states they have re-established communication with trapped fighters and warns they may fight rather than surrender or starve. They are also potentially delaying the return of deceased hostages to gain time.
Israel
Israel alleges Hamas has had communication all along and could have ordered fighters to stand down. Israel wants the fighters to give up weapons and ties their safe passage to the return of more dead hostages. They believe Hamas is delaying hostage returns to reconsolidate power.
- Estimated Trapped Hamas Fighters
- 200-300 (Israeli and Arab officials); closer to 100 (Hamas)
- Location of Trapped Fighters
- Primarily Rafah, also central and northern Gaza (e.g., east of Khan Younis, Beit Hanoun, Shuja’iyya)
- Recent Casualties
- 3 Israeli troops killed, several injured. Over 145 Gazans killed by airstrikes (number of combatants not specified by Palestinian health authorities).
- Hamas Communication Status
- Hamas claims to have lost communication in March but re-established contact recently. Israeli military officials allege continuous communication is possible.
- Key Negotiations Sticking Point
- What to do with the besieged Hamas fighters (safe passage vs. surrender/death).
- Hostages Remaining
- Seven deceased hostages' bodies remain in Gaza.
- U.S. Ceasefire Goals
- Deployment of an international stabilization force, disarmament of Hamas, temporary housing for displaced Palestinians.
Sources
Hostage Remains Received On Tuesday Are Of US-Israeli Citizen: Israel
‘Never stopped thinking about you’: Released hostage reacts as Hamas returns body of 19-year-old IDF soldier Itay Chen killed on October 7
Hamas armed wing says it will hand over the body of a hostage on Wednesday, as airstrikes continue in Gaza
Hamas To Hand Over Hostage Body As Gaza Ceasefire Holds Amid Strikes
Turkey’s MIT chief meets Hamas negotiator to discuss next phase of Gaza ceasefire
