The Israel Defense Forces executed targeted strikes against militants emerging from a tunnel in eastern Rafah, citing a violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has been in effect since early February 2026. Troops from the Golani Brigade identified armed Hamas operatives near the buffer zone, prompting immediate precision airstrikes to neutralize the threat. Additional strikes overnight targeted other Hamas operatives, reflecting the IDF’s ongoing commitment to dismantling underground infrastructure used for attacks.

Palestinian media reported five fatalities, including personnel at a Hamas police station, while Hamas condemned the strikes as a breach of the truce. IDF officials emphasized that the actions were in direct response to ceasefire violations, designed to remove imminent threats and ensure the safety of civilians and security forces. Drone footage released by the IDF illustrates the precision nature of the airstrikes and highlights the operational focus on militants emerging from underground tunnels.

This incident marks the latest escalation in a series of Palestinian ceasefire violations, with the IDF documenting 14 breaches since February 5. Israeli forces maintain deployment in accordance with the truce, ready to act against any attempts to carry out attacks, while continuing coordinated efforts to dismantle tunnel networks that Hamas uses to stage offensive operations. The Rafah strikes demonstrate Israel’s insistence on upholding security measures while emphasizing the consequences for any violations of agreements intended to preserve stability in the region.