Broadcast Authority: Washington links the resolution of the Hamas fighters' crisis in Rafah to the removal of its leaders.

The Hebrew broadcasting authority reported that the U.S. administration is linking the resolution of the crisis of Hamas fighters trapped in Rafah to ongoing understandings regarding the removal of leaders from the movement outside the Gaza Strip.

Washington is pressuring Israel to agree to the mediators' proposal to grant the fighters a "safe passage" to exit areas under military control, despite official Israeli objections.

The city of Rafah is located within areas controlled by the Israeli army east of the "yellow line," as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement that began implementation on October 10.

Mediators propose that Israel allow the trapped Hamas fighters in eastern Rafah to move through a "safe passage" to areas within the Gaza Strip that are not under military control.

No progress has been recorded so far in addressing the issue, and three armed pockets affiliated with Hamas still exist within the areas controlled by the Israeli army.

Communications between the concerned parties included a commitment to neutralize the tunnels around Rafah after the exit of Hamas fighters, followed by the establishment of a pilot model for a Gaza city without Hamas.

No official statement has been issued on this matter from Tel Aviv, Washington, or Hamas as of 20:55.

Israeli sources suggest that Tel Aviv may show greater flexibility towards the plan after Hamas fulfills its commitments regarding the prisoners held in Gaza.

The crisis of Hamas fighters stranded in Rafah erupted due to two security incidents following the agreement, where Israel claimed clashes occurred with Palestinian fighters.

The Al-Qassam Brigades stated that communication has been cut off with the remaining members of their groups in Rafah since the return of the war last March.

Israel is trying to exploit this crisis to undermine the agreement, as the authority spoke of a dispute that arose between the United States and Israel regarding the resolution of the Hamas fighters' crisis.

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner emphasized the necessity of releasing all militants to areas west of the "yellow line," where Palestinians are in control.

Israel opposed the proposal, quoting an Israeli source as saying: "This is an innocent proposal, and weapons will be waiting for them in their homes."

Expectations are that the two sides will reach a solution to this crisis, given the U.S. desire to prevent Israel from causing the collapse of the agreement.

Israeli officials are calling for the surrender of these fighters and their transfer to Israel for interrogation, or their killing if they refuse to surrender.

The Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed that the principle of surrender or handing oneself over to the enemy does not exist in their vocabulary.

Since October 8, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, resulting in more than 69,000 dead and 170,000 injured.