Beneath the war-ravaged city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, a silent and desperate standoff is threatening to unravel a fragile ceasefire. An estimated 100 to 200 Hamas fighters are trapped underground on the Israeli-controlled side of the line, cut off from supplies and facing a grim choice: surrender, attempt a breakout, or perish. This prolonged subterranean siege is now a major obstacle to diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing lasting stability in Gaza. According to Israeli and Arab officials cited by The Wall Street Journal , the militants were caught behind Israeli lines when a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in late October 2025. Isolated in a labyrinth of tunnels, their situation is deteriorating as food and water supplies dwindle. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a methodical campaign to dismantle the tunnel network, employing drilling, explosives, and in some areas, flooding sections with seawater to force the fighters out...
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