Netanyahu Denies Commitment to Allow Hamas Fighters Trapped in Rafah Tunnels to Leave

SadaNews - The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied today, Tuesday, that he had committed to the Americans to allow Hamas militants trapped in the Rafah tunnels to leave, at a time when Hamas demanded that mediators intervene to stop Israeli violations of the cease-fire agreement in Gaza.

The denial came after the leader of the "Israel Beiteinu" party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated that Netanyahu had promised the American side to release what he called terrorists from Rafah without the government's approval.

Lieberman added that Netanyahu's release of Hamas fighters from Rafah would not be a victory but rather absolute madness, as he put it.

The Israeli Prime Minister met yesterday with American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Wietkoff to discuss the second phase of the cease-fire agreement in Gaza, which came into effect on October 10.

Following the meeting, Netanyahu's spokesperson stated that any decision regarding the militants trapped in Rafah would be made in cooperation with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

On another note, the Associated Press reported from an informed source that Kushner is leading negotiations to secure a safe passage for about 150 to 200 Hamas fighters in exchange for surrendering their weapons, after Hamas handed over the remains of Israeli officer Hadar Goldin.

Netanyahu stated in a speech before the Knesset yesterday that the fate of Hamas militants in Rafah would be determined by what serves Israel's interests.

He added that he would implement the cease-fire firmly and would disarm Hamas, and that Gaza would be a demilitarized zone, according to his statements. Several members of the Knesset left the hall during Netanyahu's speech.