Israeli military kills 3 Palestinians exiting tunnel in Rafah amid ongoing Gaza ceasefire violations

The Israeli military announced on Friday that it killed three Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah after detecting a group exiting an underground tunnel. According to an army statement, Unit 414 identified eight individuals emerging from underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah overnight. The air force, directed by the 143rd Brigade, then targeted the group, resulting in three fatalities. The military added that it later struck areas where the remaining individuals attempted to flee and is still assessing the outcome.

Continued Violence Despite Ceasefire

The incident is part of near-daily Israeli military actions since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025. According to Palestinian health authorities, these violations—including shelling, drone strikes, and gunfire—have killed 492 Palestinians and wounded 1,356 others since the truce began. Witnesses also reported an Israeli drone strike early Friday near the Abu Namous roundabout east of Maghazi, killing two men in an area supposedly vacated by Israeli forces under the ceasefire agreement.

Unresolved Tunnel Issue and Regional Strikes

The targeting in Rafah highlights the unresolved issue of Palestinians, including Hamas fighters, remaining in tunnels beneath the city. Hamas stated in late 2025 that it had engaged mediators about allowing around 200 fighters from its Qassam Brigades to exit a Rafah tunnel safely, but Israel did not respond. Meanwhile, witnesses reported heavy, indiscriminate Israeli fire east of Khan Younis and airstrikes in Israeli-controlled areas of Rafah, underscoring the fragility of the U.S.-backed ceasefire, whose second phase was announced by President Donald Trump to begin in mid-January.