Twenty-four Israeli soldiers lost their lives in Gaza on Monday, marking the deadliest day for Israeli troops in the conflict with Hamas. The majority of the soldiers, 21, died in an attack in central Gaza, where a terrorist squad ambushed them during activities related to demolishing “terror infrastructure and buildings.” An RPG hit one of the buildings, leading to its collapse, and causing most casualties. Three additional soldiers were killed in a separate incident in southern Gaza.
The total number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7 reached 25,295, with at least 63,000 injuries reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the soldiers’ deaths as “one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war.” The Israeli military initiated an investigation into the incident.
The ongoing large-scale bombing campaign in Gaza, which began after the October 7 Hamas attack, has resulted in 219 Israeli soldiers losing their lives. Khan Younis in southern Gaza has been a focal point of recent intense fighting, with the city now surrounded, and nearly 200 people reported killed in the past day.
The IDF stated that it conducted extensive operations around Khan Younis, aiming to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities. Medical facilities in the area have suffered damage during the Israeli assault, leading to a rise in casualties. Amid the conflict, there are concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from the international community, including the U.S., to allow the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Domestically, there are demands to ensure Israel’s security, and criticism has grown for the failure to secure the release of all hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. Israel has offered a two-month ceasefire to Hamas as part of a prospective hostage deal, expressing optimism about Hamas’s response.
