Hamas Fighters in Tunnels Raise New Challenges for Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

Wed Nov 12 2025 14:51:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With US envoy Jared Kushner back in Israel, negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire face setbacks due to Hamas fighters trapped below Rafah and unresolved key issues.

Recent developments in Gaza's fragile ceasefire negotiations reveal significant challenges as US envoy Jared Kushner returns to Israel. Hamas fighters, believed to be hiding in tunnels beneath the city of Rafah, complicate ongoing discussions about disarmament, reconstruction, and governance. As both sides remain entrenched in their positions, the aim for a lasting peace deal appears increasingly uncertain.

Hamas Fighters in Tunnels Raise New Challenges for Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

16 hours ago

Hugo BachegaMiddle East correspondent, Jerusalem

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 deployment of an international security force to the territory.

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.

Without a timeline for the discussions, doubts linger that any progress can be achieved.

Hamas has previously rejected disarmament, stating it would only disarm once a Palestinian state is established.

Israel continues to occupy significant portions of Gaza, and the prospect of a de facto partition of Gaza is increasingly discussed.