IDF says it killed 6 Hamas operatives, captured 5 more after 15 emerged from Rafah tunnels

Some 15 Hamas operatives emerged from tunnels in two separate locations in eastern Rafah — an area in southern Gaza held by the IDF — earlier today, the military says, following a preliminary investigation into the incident.

According to the IDF, the Israeli Air Force, with information provided by ground troops, struck and killed six of the operatives.

Meanwhile, troops of the Nahal Brigade captured five of the operatives who surrendered to them, the military says, adding that they were taken to Israel to be questioned by the Shin Bet.

The IDF says it continues to scan the area, both from the air and on the ground, to locate the other gunmen who had emerged from the tunnels.

Dozens of Hamas terrorists were estimated to be holed up in tunnels in the Rafah area, on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line. The US had pressured Israel to allow them safe passage back to Hamas-held areas of Gaza.

The IDF says that in recent weeks it has been conducting a “concentrated effort” in Rafah to “destroy the remaining underground routes in the area and eliminate the terrorists residing in them.”

Last week, the IDF said it killed three or four Hamas operatives who emerged from the tunnels in the area.