The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing nine Palestinian fighters inside a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to a statement released on Friday. The army further alleged that over 30 militants attempting to flee from underground structures in eastern Rafah have been killed so far. Hamas has not yet commented on the Israeli claims. Israeli media recently reported that around 200 Hamas fighters remain trapped in a tunnel in Rafah, though Tel Aviv has not responded to mediation efforts by Hamas and international intermediaries to allow their safe evacuation. Rafah remains under Israeli military control. The incident comes amid a fragile ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which includes prisoner exchanges and plans for Gaza’s reconstruction under a new administrative framework excluding Hamas. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli operations in Gaza have reportedly killed around 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured more than 170,000 others.