Hamas on Wednesday condemned Israel’s attacks on fighters trapped in the tunnels under Rafah, describing the assaults as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement brokered in Gaza in October 2025.

In a statement, the movement stressed that the Israeli pursuit, killings, and arrests of besieged Resistance fighters represent “conclusive evidence” of Tel Aviv’s ongoing attempts to undermine and destroy the ceasefire. Hamas asserted that despite extensive engagement with political leaders and mediators, including the United States as a guarantor of the agreement, Israel deliberately chose a path of violence, obstructing efforts to secure the fighters’ safe return.

“The Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for the fate of our heroic fighters,” the statement emphasized. Hamas described them as a “unique symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and heroism, representing the dignity and freedom of the Palestinian people.” The movement called on mediators to urgently pressure Israel to allow the fighters to safely return to their homes.

The attacks form part of a relentless pattern of Israeli violations. Since the ceasefire’s implementation on October 11, 2025, the Gaza Ministry of Health has reported 347 martyrs and 889 injured directly linked to the ceasefire period. Rescue teams have recovered 596 bodies out of an estimated 10,000 missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Overall, the humanitarian toll from Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, has now reached 69,785 martyrs and 170,965 wounded, with the numbers expected to rise as living conditions deteriorate inside displacement zones across Gaza.

Hamas criticized Israel for deliberately targeting besieged fighters in Rafah, asserting that the operation not only violates international law and the ceasefire agreement but also thwarts the work of mediators attempting to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people. The statement urged the international community to take swift and decisive action to prevent further escalation and to ensure that those trapped fighters are allowed to return home safely.

The Resistance movement reaffirmed its commitment to defending Palestinian rights and dignity, emphasizing that the sacrifices of its fighters stand as a testament to the resilience and honor of the Palestinian nation in the face of ongoing aggression. (ILKHA)