The terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft, with some attempting to retreat back into the tunnel during the firefight.

By The IDF Club

Israeli forces killed six armed terrorists during a firefight in western Rafah on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed Wednesday morning, describing the incident as a “serious and blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.”

According to the military, IDF surveillance units identified the gunmen operating near Israeli troops in an area under Israeli control west of Rafah, posing an immediate threat to forces deployed in the southern Gaza Strip.

Tanks were dispatched to the scene and opened fire after the terrorists were identified. The gunmen returned fire at one of the tanks, prompting a clash that included strikes by the Israeli Air Force.

Following continued engagements and searches, the IDF said it can now confirm that all six terrorists were eliminated.

The military said the terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft, with some attempting to retreat back into the tunnel during the firefight. Weapons and additional military equipment were recovered from the scene.

The operation was carried out by the combat team of the IDF’s 7th Brigade.

“The IDF views any violation of the ceasefire agreement with the utmost severity,” the military said, adding that it “will continue to operate against any attempt by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to carry out attacks against IDF forces or Israeli civilians.”

The Rafah clash followed a similar incident on Monday, when Israeli forces operating in southern Gaza neutralized four armed terrorists who were identified approaching troops.

Equipment recovered in that incident was assessed by the military to have been intended for intelligence collection on IDF activity.

The IDF said forces remain deployed and alert in the area and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat.