IDF halts all 17 Hamas terrorists who attempted to flee Rafah tunnel following manhunt

The IDF intercepted 17 Hamas terrorists fleeing Rafah tunnels, killing 11 and arresting six, as an observation officer described how her unit led the detection and targeting effort.

The IDF intercepted all 17 Hamas terrorists who tried to escape from terror tunnels in eastern Rafah, killing 11, and arresting six, the military confirmed on Saturday.

This follows a 24-hour manhunt after the terrorists attempted to flee.

The six arrested terrorists were transferred to Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further investigations, the military noted.

Sec.-Lt. “A,” an observation operations room officer in the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, told Walla about how some of the terrorists were intercepted.

At first, two suspects were identified. “They exited a tunnel, and afterwards, the observing soldier identified several additional suspects – a total of five. We closed in on them and bombed them with a Hermes 450 “Zik” drone,” she explained.

“After that, the observation soldier identified additional suspects fleeing,” she continued.

“It is necessary to identify the terrorists, to make sure there are none in the area. We assist in protecting the forces that are fighting and maneuvering in this sector. This event proves the contribution of the observation soldiers. Thanks to alertness and sharpness, the terrorists were located,” she told Walla.

IDF observations officer: ‘We are an active part in the struggle for victory’

Sec.-Lt. “A” addressed future recruits to the IDF’s observation units, saying that “We are an active part in the struggle, in my eyes, of the entire state toward victory and to protect the civilians and the soldiers.”

According to her, her fellow soldiers in the operations room are making history. “We are doing the most meaningful role there is for girls to do, after combat roles. And this is truly the best and most meaningful path there is.”