Turkey seeks safe passage for around 200 civilians trapped in Gaza tunnels

A Turkish official said on Sunday that Turkey is working to secure a safe passage for around 200 civilians trapped in tunnels in Gaza, after helping to return the body of an Israeli soldier killed there more than a decade ago.

The official said, “Turkey succeeded in facilitating the return of Hadar Goldin’s remains to Israel after 11 years of intensive efforts, reflecting Hamas’s clear commitment to the ceasefire.”

He added, “At the same time, we are working to provide a safe corridor for about 200 civilians from Gaza who are currently trapped in the tunnels.”

Earlier, Hamas said that its fighters in the Rafah area, which is under Israeli control, would not surrender, and called on mediators to find a solution to the crisis that threatens the month-long ceasefire, according to Reuters.

Israel confirmed that it had received the remains of Hadar Goldin, an army officer killed in an ambush in Gaza during the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, after his body was handed over by the Red Cross.

Turkey was among the countries that signed last month’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was supported by US President Donald Trump.