Gaza Herald – Israel said it killed nine Palestinians trapped inside tunnels in eastern Rafah, in areas under Israeli military occupation, as part of what it described as ongoing operations.
The army said the men were killed after Israeli forces destroyed parts of the tunnels “through airstrikes and engineering means,” continuing its assaults inside territory it was required to withdraw from under the ceasefire agreement.
According to the military, these killings bring the number of Palestinians killed while trapped in tunnels in southern Gaza to 30, a figure rights groups say reflects Israel’s systematic targeting of individuals unable to escape, even during a declared ceasefire.
Gaza officials called the operations further evidence that Israel is using the tunnel issue as a pretext to maintain military presence, expand its violations, and continue the genocide under the guise of “security pursuits,” despite international warnings and ongoing mediation efforts.
