Israeli forces dismantle two militant tunnels in Gaza Strip

Israeli soldiers from the Southern Brigade of the Gaza Division have dismantled two tunnels in the southern and central Gaza Strip as part of a targeted operation aimed at neutralizing militant infrastructure.

The operation, which took place over recent weeks, saw engineers and specialized units work together to locate and destroy the tunnels, each spanning approximately 2 kilometres, Caliber.Az reports via Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The tunnels, described as complex and heavily fortified, contained multiple exit shafts—some of which were booby-trapped—and a significant cache of weapons.

In addition to dismantling the tunnels, Israeli forces carried out a series of intelligence-backed airstrikes. These strikes, coordinated by the brigade's Fire Control Centre, targeted a militant cell attempting to plant an explosive device, as well as anti-tank positions and other infrastructure posing a threat to Israeli soldiers.

To recap, negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages are reportedly 90% complete. However, unresolved issues remain, particularly concerning Israel's military presence in Gaza and a proposed buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Talks, ongoing in Doha, focus on a phased ceasefire, involving prisoner exchanges and the gradual release of Israeli hostages.

A major point of contention is the Israeli military's position in the strategically significant Philadelphi corridor, with a proposal for a buffer zone to secure the area. The three-phase ceasefire could be finalized soon, with the first stage involving the exchange of 20 Palestinian prisoners for each female Israeli soldier.

The second phase would see hostages released, while the third would establish a technocratic government in Gaza, supported by all Palestinian factions, to ensure stability. Egypt and Qatar’s roles are seen as key to the process.

By Aghakazim Guliyev