Hamas Fighters' Tunnels Complicate Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

Wed Nov 12 2025 14:33:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire in Gaza face new hurdles as Hamas fighters remain trapped underground, complicating negotiations led by US envoy Jared Kushner.

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are becoming increasingly complex as a significant number of Hamas fighters are believed to be trapped in tunnels beneath Rafah, posing a major challenge to peace talks. Key sticking points remain unresolved, including disarmament of Hamas and future governance of Gaza, as mediators push for concessions on both sides.

US President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, returned to Israel on Monday, as mediators face a new obstacle in their efforts to advance negotiations on the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal to the next and more complex phase.

Key sticking points remain unresolved, including Hamas's disarmament, the reconstruction and future governance of Gaza, and the deployment of an international security force to the territory.

Without a timeline for the discussions, which are likely to require significant concessions from both Israel and Hamas, there are doubts that any progress can be achieved.

Another challenge has emerged recently, involving scores of Hamas fighters believed to be in tunnels beneath the southern city of Rafah behind the so-called Yellow Line, which marks the area under Israeli control.

Last week, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said an amnesty could be offered for fighters who laid down their arms, and that this could be a model for Washington's broader strategy in Gaza. Witkoff reported that approximately 200 fighters are trapped, although this number is yet to be confirmed.

During a meeting in Jerusalem, Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation, with Hamas insisting these fighters should not surrender and demanding safe passage – a request that Israel has to date denied.

The Israeli government has stated that discussions included plans for securing hostage releases, disarming Hamas, ensuring Gaza’s demilitarization, and negating Hamas’s future role in governance.

Amid continuing conflict, the Israeli military occupies 53% of Gaza’s territory and is expected to withdraw further in the next phase of the ceasefire plan.

While the war was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 69,000 deaths in Gaza from subsequent Israeli strikes, the peace negotiations remain fraught with challenges. Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating ceasefire terms, complicating the humanitarian and governance situation in the region.

Analysts warn that unless clear objectives are established for international peacekeeping forces, a de-facto partition could arise, further entrenching divisions within Gaza.