Khaberni - The Israeli occupation army said it killed more than 40 militants during raids and explosions that targeted tunnels in the Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip, in recent days, while efforts continue to locate the body of an Israeli prisoner inside the yellow line in the northern sector.
The Israeli army announced on Sunday the elimination of 4 fighters who emerged from the tunnels in Rafah in the area it had withdrawn to according to the ceasefire agreement reached last month.
The occupation army added in a statement that its forces "operated for 40 days in the eastern area of Rafah, as part of efforts aimed at destroying what remains of underground hideouts."
Channel 14 of Israel quoted security sources as saying that assessments indicate the complete elimination of all militants in the Rafah tunnels, noting that the Gaza Strip has become smaller and the yellow area is the new border with Israel.
The same sources confirmed that the Israeli army will continue to control the yellow area in the upcoming period.
On Friday, the Israeli army announced the discovery of the bodies of 9 Palestinian fighters killed during its operations to dismantle the tunnel network in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) estimates that the number of its fighters trapped inside the tunnels ranges between 80 and 100.
The occupation army also announced the destruction of dozens of military bases and infrastructure above and below ground in Rafah as well.
Israel carries out raids and targeting operations, some of which occur inside the yellow line, prompting Hamas to warn of continuing Israeli violations that enhance fears of delaying the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Search for the body of a prisoner
Meanwhile, efforts continue to locate the body of an Israeli prisoner inside the yellow line in Beit Lahia, north of the sector, by a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
The Palestinian resistance has succeeded in extracting the bodies of 7 Israeli prisoners from areas under the occupation army’s control in the sector.
Civil defense teams have also resumed searching for the bodies of Palestinian martyrs in the Al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza Strip.
It said that search operations for the missing under the rubble are still limited due to a lack of capabilities, especially the heavy equipment needed to lift the rubble.
Hazem Qasim, spokesperson for Hamas, told Al Jazeera that the continuation of the search operations for the bodies of Israeli prisoners despite the difficulties and complexities reflects the movement's full commitment to the cease-fire agreement.
Qasim added that the occupation is still delaying entering the second phase of the cease-fire agreement and its obligations. Qasim called on mediators to press the occupation to adhere to opening the Rafah crossing and work to move to the second phase of the agreement.
Rise in the toll of martyrs
These statements come amid ongoing Israeli bombing, with Israeli aircraft launching a raid on a house near the yellow line in the Jorat Al-Lout area south of Khan Yunis.
Various areas in eastern Gaza Strip were subjected to aerial and artillery bombardment today, as well as the demolition of buildings in areas under Israeli control.
Al Jazeera's correspondent reported hearing the sound of explosions following Israeli air raids on areas east of Rafah.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that the death toll from the Israeli genocide since October 2023 had risen to 70,103 martyrs and 170,985 wounded.
The ministry said that hospitals in the Strip received 3 martyrs and 2 injuries during the past 24 hours.
It clarified that since the ceasefire in October 2025, the total casualties reached 356 martyrs, 908 injuries and 607 bodies recovered.
