Israel Negotiates With Mediators Regarding The Fate Of Hamas Fighters Trapped Behind Gaza's "Garis Kuning"

JAKARTA - Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States are negotiating with Israel about the fate of Hamas fighters trapped in the group's underground tunnel in the Israeli military-controlled Gaza Strip region, several sources told The National on Tuesday.

They did not know the exact number of Hamas fighters behind the "yellow line" that was the goal of withdrawing Israeli troops as part of the US-brokered ceasefire that ended the war on October 10.

However, they said the possible number of Hamas fighters there was about hundreds.

The mediators suggested that the fighters be given a safe route to Hamas-controlled areas, the source said, with representatives of the Red Cross that would transport them there in their vehicles, reported The National November 4.

The proposal includes fighters leaving heavy weapons and only carrying firearms to defend themselves, the source added.

The source further said there were concerns the fighters were trapped, many of whom had nothing to do with their commanders for months, would launch attacks on Israeli soldiers, jeopardize a fragile ceasefire and thwart US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza.

"There is a real fear that some of them will carry out suicide missions against the Israeli military," said a source.

"If that happens, then there is a high possibility of a ceasefire, and perhaps the whole process, will fail," he said.

Israel has not yet informed the mediators of its final decision. However, the source said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was under pressure from its government's hardline coalition not to allow the fighters to leave, blaming them for two deadly attacks on Israeli soldiers last month.

The first phase of the already applicable Gaza ceasefire requires Hamas to release 20 live hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinians who have been detained in Israeli prisons.

Hamas has also handed over the bodies of more than half of the 28 hostages killed in hostage-taking to Israel, but declared widespread damage in Gaza hampering the search for other burial sites.

The second phase of Trump's plans includes complicated issues related to the deployment of international stabilization troops in Gaza and the enclave governance, as well as the removal of Hamas weapons and reconstruction of the region.

This week, the US has reportedly sent a draft resolution to members of the UN Security Council to form the force, which is likely to have a two-year mandate.

Palestinian factions are expected to meet in Egypt this week to elect an independent Palestinian technocrat commission of 15 people who will carry out daily affairs in Gaza after the war, the source said.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out when Hamas and its allies attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and holding 250 others hostage.

Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians and injured more than 170,000 people, according to Gaza's government data.

The war also created a humanitarian crisis, with most of the 2.3 million residents displaced from their homes.

In August, the United Nations declared catastrophic hunger in some areas of Gaza after Israel limited aid entry for months. Delivery of humanitarian aid increased after the ceasefire began but was still less than needed, Palestinian officials and aid agencies said.