Israel has suffered its heaviest loss of soldiers since the start of the country’s war on Hamas after several soldiers died in an explosion during an operation in Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced about the loss through a statement, marking the biggest single loss of life for Israeli troops inside the battered enclave since the start of the war in October 2023.
According to the military’s statement, 24 soldiers were killed on Monday January 22,2024.
IDF spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said that an Israeli armored tank that was protecting some of the troops was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
Two soldiers who were in the tank were killed according to Hagari, who revealed the details in a televised statement on Tuesday, January 23.
Further, the military spokesperson stated that following the attack on the tank, two story buildings simultaneously collapsed on soldiers after an explosion.
They were operating in what Hagari classified as the “buffer zone” between Israeli settlements and the Palestinian enclave.
Israel troops killed after buildings collapse
He further revealed that the forces made up of reservists were demolishing buildings and infrastructure in the area, around 600 meters from the border.
The operation was part of an effort to secure the area so residents of southern Israel could eventually return back home.
Most of the Israeli forces killed after the explosion were in or near the buildings.
“The buildings probably exploded because of the mines that our forces laid there, in preparation to demolish them and the infrastructure around,” he said.
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Additionally, he noted that another Israeli soldier was seriously injured following the collapse of the buildings.
Hagari said the IDF was still investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.
According to the military spokesperson, all the deceased’s families have been notified, with only 10 names having been released so far.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog consoled with the families of the soldiers, affirming that they lost their lives in a justified war.
“On behalf of the entire nation, I console the families and pray for the healing of the wounded,” he said through his social media account.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said it was a hard and painful morning, adding that their hearts are with the deceased’s families during their hardest hour.
Israeli-Hamas war
“This war will determine the fate of Israel in the next decades — our fallen soldiers are an imperative to achieve war objectives,” he said.
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This incident pushed the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since operations began to 219.
The Israeli military’s large-scale bombing campaign in Gaza started on October 7.
Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel, with more than 250 taken hostage, more than 130 of whom are still in captivity, alive or dead.
In recent weeks, the Israeli military’s main focus has been in southern Gaza, with intense fighting around the city of Khan Younis.
At least 25,295 people killed and 63,000 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.
