Jerusalem – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has denied reports that he pledged to the United States to allow Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels in Rafah to leave the area. The denial comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The denial followed claims made by Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, who stated that Netanyahu had promised the US administration to release individuals he described as terrorists from Rafah without governmental approval. Lieberman argued that allowing Hamas fighters to leave Rafah would not be a victory but, in his words, “absolute madness.”
Yesterday, Netanyahu met with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which went into effect on October 10th. Following the meeting, Netanyahu’s spokesperson stated that any decision regarding the fighters trapped in Rafah would be made in cooperation with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Reports had surfaced suggesting that Kushner was leading negotiations to secure safe passage for approximately 150 to 200 Hamas fighters in exchange for the surrender of their weapons. This followed Hamas’s return of the remains of Israeli officer Hadar Goldin.
Addressing the Knesset yesterday, Netanyahu stated that the fate of Hamas militants in Rafah would be determined by what serves Israel’s interests. He added that he would enforce the ceasefire firmly, disarm Hamas, and ensure that Gaza becomes a demilitarized zone. Several Knesset members reportedly left the chamber during Netanyahu’s address.
Meanwhile, Hamas issued a statement asserting that its forces have fully adhered to the ceasefire agreement since its implementation. The group accused Israel of continuously undermining and violating the agreement, fabricating pretexts to justify its actions. Hamas called on mediators, guarantors, and international organizations to pressure Israel to cease its violations and ensure the withdrawal of its forces to the agreed-upon lines from the initial phase of the agreement.
