The Israeli military reported killing three armed militants in Rafah on Wednesday, raising fears of renewed escalation amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas in effect since October 10.
IDF troops, dismantling tunnels in eastern Rafah—an Israeli-controlled zone—observed four suspects crossing the demarcation line. Ground forces opened fire, neutralizing three; the fourth escaped, triggering a manhunt. No Israeli casualties were reported.
The incident follows Hamas’s October 7, 2024, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted 250. Israel’s response has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Since the truce, at least 245 Palestinians have died in reported Israeli fire, while three IDF soldiers were killed in Gaza.
Under the ceasefire, all 20 surviving hostages were freed, and remains of 24 deceased captives returned—four bodies remain with militants. Humanitarian aid enters slowly, but Rafah, sheltering over 1.5 million displaced, faces winter famine risks.
Mediators urge de-escalation. The U.N. warns isolated clashes threaten progress. Israel insists operations target Hamas infrastructure; Hamas condemns the killings as violations. With reconstruction stalled, Gaza’s truce hangs precariously.