The IDF announced on Motzei Shabbos that after a 24-hour manhunt, “all 17 terrorists who attempted to flee the tunnels [in Rafah] were either eliminated or apprehended.”

“In total, 11 terrorists were eliminated, and six were apprehended and transferred to the Shin Bet for further interrogation.”

The announcement came after reports on Friday that some of the dozens of terrorists holed up in tunnels in IDF-controlled areas of Rafah emerged from underground on Wednesday and tried to escape.

In recent weeks, IDF and Shin Bet forces have been operating in the Rafah area in efforts to destroy the tunnels and eliminate the remaining terrorists.

Dozens of terrorists trapped in the tunnels have made efforts via the ceasefire mediators to be granted “safe passage,” but Israel refused the request, with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir saying, “Either they surrender with raised hands or they die.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)