Tel Aviv [Israel]: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Monday that Israel will not permit the safe passage of about 200 Hamas militants trapped in the Israeli-controlled Rafah area into Gaza, dismissing reports that such an arrangement was under consideration.
“The Prime Minister remains steadfast in his position to disarm Hamas, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and eliminate terrorist threats against our forces,” the statement read.
Earlier in the day, Israeli media suggested that authorities might consider allowing the fighters to leave if they surrendered their weapons and if Hamas returned the bodies of additional fallen hostages. Al Jazeera reported that mediators had discussed a plan for the fighters to be evacuated through a designated corridor using Red Cross vehicles.
The reports sparked outrage within the government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X: “Mr. Prime Minister, this is utter madness. Stop this.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also urged Netanyahu to reject any such move, insisting that the 200 militants positioned beyond the Yellow Line should be “killed or captured.” He added, “This is an opportunity to eliminate or detain them, not release them under absurd conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported that troops had neutralized several militants who crossed the Yellow Line and posed an immediate threat to Israeli forces.
Separately, the remains of three Israelis recovered from Gaza overnight were identified as Col. Assaf Hammi, Capt. Omer Neutra, and Sgt. Oz Daniel — all of whom were killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
That attack left about 1,200 people dead and 252 Israelis and foreigners taken hostage. The bodies of eight Israelis are still believed to be held in Gaza.
