IDF Kills Four Gunmen Emerging from Rafah Tunnel in Latest Gaza Incident Amid Fragile Ceasefire

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says its troops killed four Palestinian gunmen who emerged from a tunnel and opened fire on soldiers in eastern Rafah, southern Gaza, in an incident described as a “blatant violation of the ceasefire” with Hamas.

The event occurred during mop-up operations in the area today – February 9, 2026.

According to the IDF, soldiers from the 7th Armored Brigade identified the four operatives exiting a tunnel and immediately engaged them. The gunmen fired on the troops, who returned fire and eliminated all four. There were no reported Israeli casualties in the exchange.

The military stated that the tunnel attack took place on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line, where dozens of Hamas operatives were believed to have been trapped underground following earlier operations. The IDF has reported killing or capturing around 40 such operatives in recent months in eastern Rafah.

The IDF says it is continuing operations in the area “to locate and eliminate all remaining terrorists in the tunnel.” No further details on the identities of the gunmen or their affiliation were immediately released.

Rafah Tunnel Networks: Background and Significance

Eastern Rafah has long been a focal point of Hamas tunnel infrastructure. The extensive underground network in Rafah includes smuggling tunnels historically used to move goods and weapons from Egypt, attack tunnels toward Israel, storage sites, command posts, and escape routes. Israel has repeatedly targeted these tunnels during operations, with significant discoveries and destructions reported since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war.

The current ceasefire line runs through parts of Rafah, leaving some tunnel entrances and networks on the Israeli-controlled side. The IDF has maintained that its operations in eastern Rafah are defensive, aimed at preventing ceasefire violations, neutralizing remaining threats, and protecting Israeli communities near the border. Hamas has accused Israel of using these operations to undermine the truce.

History of Ceasefire Violations

The current ceasefire, brokered in late 2025, has been fragile from the outset, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations.

• Hamas Actions: Hamas has carried out tunnel incursions and fired on IDF troops from Gaza-side tunnels. The group has also launched rocket fire and mortar attacks, though at a reduced scale compared to 2023–2025. Hamas has used civilian areas for military purposes, including placing tunnel entrances in or near civilian infrastructure, and has attempted kidnappings and small-unit raids across the line both before and after the ceasefire.

• IDF Actions: On the Israeli side, the IDF has conducted continued military operations in ceasefire zones, including tunnel clearance and targeted strikes. These actions have resulted in civilian casualties according to Palestinian sources. The IDF has imposed restrictions on humanitarian access and movement in parts of Gaza under its control. It has also demolished structures and infrastructure during tunnel operations.

Both sides have traded accusations of undermining the truce. Hamas has claimed IDF actions are attempts to reoccupy territory or weaken the group ahead of any long-term settlement. Israel has maintained that its operations are necessary to prevent attacks and enforce ceasefire terms.

Broader Gaza Security Situation

The killing of the four gunmen is the latest in a series of low-level but persistent clashes in southern Gaza despite the ceasefire. Previous incidents have included tunnel discoveries, attempted infiltrations, and exchanges of fire, underscoring the fragility of the truce and the continued presence of armed elements in the region.

The incident also comes amid international attention on Gaza, including U.S.-brokered talks and ongoing humanitarian concerns. No immediate escalation was reported following the incident.