“Surrender, be imprisoned and live”, Israel gives Hamas in tunnels advice
Israel has extended a renewed proposal to Hamas militants entrenched in Gaza’s underground tunnel network, offering them the chance to surrender and face imprisonment rather than death, according to a report by N12.
The offer, relayed through mediators, marks another attempt to end months of fighting by urging militants to abandon the tunnels beneath the devastated Gaza Strip.
Under the reported terms, Hamas fighters who give themselves up would be taken into custody inside Israel. After serving their sentences, they could potentially return to Gaza on the condition that they lay down their arms and agree not to take part in any future militant activity.
The offer seeks to create what Israeli officials describe as a “pathway out” for those still hiding underground.
Mediators passed the message to Hamas commanders, but, according to the report, the group did not respond. Israeli officials expressed frustration that the overture appeared to be dismissed even as conditions in Gaza’s south, particularly around Rafah, remain dire.
One Israeli source, quoted by N12, conveyed both urgency and disappointment: “We gave the terrorists in Rafah the option to live and be released from there. Up until this moment, they have not agreed to meet the conditions we set. It seems as if they have decided to become martyrs.”
The statement reflects Israel’s growing belief that Hamas leaders may be unwilling to negotiate despite mounting battlefield pressure, fears of further casualties, and concerns for civilians trapped in the fighting.
The reported proposal comes as the war’s humanitarian and political toll continues to escalate. With no formal response from Hamas and no ceasefire in sight, mediators warn that options for de-escalation are narrowing.
For now, the Israeli offer remains on the table but, as officials suggest, its window may not stay open indefinitely.
Courtesy: Opera News
