IDF says it struck six terror operatives thought to have emerged from tunnel under Rafah

The IDF says it struck six terror operatives who likely emerged from tunnels in eastern Rafah, an IDF-held area in the southern Gaza Strip where dozens of Hamas fighters are believed to be trapped underground.

This morning, soldiers monitoring surveillance cameras spotted the six operatives in the area, the IDF says, adding that it believes they had emerged from the tunnels.

A short while later, the Israeli Air Force, with information provided by ground forces, struck the six operatives while they attempted to flee, the IDF says.

The military says a “hit was identified,” but it is unknown yet how many of the operatives were killed in the strike. Troops of the Nahal Brigade are conducting scans in the area, the IDF adds.

Yesterday, five gunmen who emerged from the tunnels in Rafah were killed by troops. Over the weekend, 17 operatives emerged from tunnels and were either killed or captured. And a week ago, IDF troops spotted and shot dead four operatives who emerged from a tunnel in the area.