Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s office confirmed on Monday that Israel will not permit safe passage for about 200 Hamas fighters stationed in the Israeli-controlled Rafah area into Gaza, refuting earlier media reports suggesting otherwise.
The statement emphasised that Netanyahu remains committed to disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza, prioritising the prevention of terrorist threats against Israeli forces.
Earlier reports in Israeli and international media, including Al Jazeera, claimed that a deal was being discussed to allow the fighters to withdraw under Red Cross supervision if they surrendered their weapons and Hamas returned the bodies of fallen Israeli soldiers.
The rumours prompted fierce backlash from within the Israeli government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the idea &ldquo;madness,&rdquo; while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded that the fighters be &ldquo;killed or captured,&rdquo; not released under lenient terms.
On the same day, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that soldiers neutralised several Hamas operatives who had crossed the Yellow Line and posed an immediate threat.
Meanwhile, Israel announced the recovery of the remains of three fallen soldiers, Col. Assaf Hammi, Capt. Omer Neutra, and Sgt. Oz Daniel, who was killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault. The attack claimed around 1,200 lives and saw 252 Israelis and foreigners taken hostage, with the bodies of eight Israelis still held in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office rejects reports of allowing 200 Hamas fighters safe exit from Rafah

Israel Denies Safe Passage to Hamas Fighters

Netanyahu’s office rejects reports of allowing 200 Hamas fighters safe exit from Rafah

November 4, 2025 | 18:06 IST