Israel’s military has intensified air and ground attacks across Gaza as Hamas continues efforts to locate the bodies of two Israeli captives — a Thai national and an Israeli soldier — whose remains are believed to be trapped in tunnel systems.
On Friday morning, an Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian man in Bani Suheila, while air and naval bombardments hit parts of Khan Younis and Rafah. The intensified strikes come amid stalled progress in the second phase of the Egypt-brokered ceasefire.
Israeli forces said they recovered the bodies of nine Hamas fighters from tunnels in eastern Rafah, bringing the number of confirmed dead fighters trapped underground to more than 30.
A senior Hamas official accused Israel of obstructing attempts to resolve the situation:
“Israel is trying to evade the terms of the ceasefire agreement,” the official told AFP, warning of growing humanitarian risks.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States are reportedly discussing proposals that would allow trapped Hamas fighters to exit tunnels through safe corridors.
Israel maintains its stance that militants must either surrender or face military force.
