The IDF will not actively block any deal to allow Hamas terrorists to move from the buffer zone on the Israeli side of Gaza's Yellow Line to the areas of the strip under Hamas's control, The Jerusalem Post learned on Monday.
This comes following reports that Israel was considering allowing approximately 200 Hamas terrorists currently within the Israeli side of the Yellow Line buffer zone in the Gaza Strip to return to Rafah if they agree to lay down their weapons and disarm.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that no Hamas terrorists would be allowed safe passage without the promise of disarmament.
“The Prime Minister continues his firm stance of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Strip while thwarting terrorist threats against our forces,” the statement said.
Ben-Gvir, Smotrich called on Netanyahu to prevent safe passage
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appealed to Netanyahu to prevent this, demanding that all Hamas terrorists on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line be killed or imprisoned, his office confirmed.
"This is an opportunity to destroy or arrest [Hamas terrorists,] not to release them under ridiculous conditions," he said.
Finance Minister Bezalal Smotrich denounced the reported plan, calling it "utter madness," and calling on Netanyahu to stop it.
The family of Chief Sgt. First Class (res.) Yona “Efi” Efraim Feldbaum, who was murdered by Hamas terrorist sniper fire in Rafah on October 28, also called the idea "unthinkable."
"It is unthinkable to allow the vile terrorists, the murderers of our best sons, to go free. Efi's death was not in vain," they stated.
"We call on Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to stop the disgrace," and to "give the order to destroy the surrounded terrorists," they added.
"We will stand as a wall to stop the madness and ensure that the people of Israel receive the minimum required," clarifying this is, in their view, the elimination of Hamas terrorists, and not allowing them to return to the battlefield as heroes praised by the terror group.
There have been disagreements within the military echelons, including within the IDF General Staff, on how aggressive to be towards Hamas since the war started, including when to try to end the war, and when to escalate military operations to push Hamas.
These disagreements are therefore likely to persist and continue to affect how different military officials view the incident.
Overall, the General Staff views any decision to allow Hamas terrorists to return as one that must be taken within Israel's political echelon. This is because any such decision has implications regarding the relations between Israel and Washington, and thus, only the political leadership can fully weigh the scope of both defense and diplomatic ramifications that any decision may have.
Hamas affirmed that it will succeed in achieving a "safe exit" of those within the Israeli buffer zone, which will be "a victory recorded in the annals of glory and pride."
The Yellow Line is the line in Gaza that IDF troops have withdrawn to. Al Jazeera reported on Sunday that Hamas and Israel are engaged in direct talks.
Hamas demands temporary immunity for terrorists beyond Gaza's Yellow Line
Hamas has demanded, through mediators on Sunday, temporary immunity for terrorists stationed in underground tunnels in Rafah to move to areas within the Yellow Line, a source familiar with the details told the Post.
Israel is operating in the Rafah area where Hamas terrorists are underground.
Notably, this indicated that the IDF is aware that there are still terrorists in tunnels in certain parts of Gaza, which would be a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas terrorists kill at least three IDF soldiers in Rafah since ceasefire
Since the ceasefire deal came into effect, three IDF soldiers have been killed in Gaza, all in the Rafah area.
Major Yaniv Kula and Staff-Sergeant Itay Yavetz were killed on October 19 when Hamas broke the ceasefire agreement by firing anti-tank missiles and gunfire towards Israeli soldiers.
Chief Sgt. First Class (res.) Yona “Efi” Efraim Feldbaum was killed on October 28 by terrorist sniper fire.