IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
Israeli-Gaza Conflict: IDF Reports 24 Soldiers Killed in Deadliest Day
The Israeli army faced a devastating blow on Monday as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the death of 24 soldiers in Gaza, marking the deadliest day since the commencement of the ground operation. Among them, 21 reservists lost their lives in an explosion, likely triggered by mines placed by Israeli forces in two buildings slated for demolition. The IDF is actively investigating the incident, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The reservists were part of an operation aiming to facilitate the safe return of residents to their homes in southern Israel, following mass evacuations prompted by a Hamas attack on October 7. The IDF’s chief spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, disclosed that the reservists met their tragic fate in central Gaza, near the Israeli kibbutz of Kissufim, around 16:00 (14:00 GMT) on Monday.
Funerals for those killed in the explosion took place at Mount Herzl in a rainy Jerusalem. Mourners, many dressed in military uniforms, gathered amidst blue and white Israeli flags, painting a somber scene of loss and sacrifice.
In a separate attack in southern Gaza on the same day, three officers were confirmed dead by Israel’s military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite acknowledging the suffering, expressed determination to press on with the offensive until achieving “absolute victory.”
The city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza witnessed intense fighting, especially around three hospitals crowded with displaced people. The IDF announced the complete encirclement of the city, emphasizing its focus on targeting Hamas. The group’s leaders are believed to be hiding in Khan Younis, potentially where some Israeli hostages are held.
IMAGE SOURCE,AFP
The IDF’s operation in Khan Younis resulted in the death of numerous local gunmen. Israeli forces discovered rockets in ready-to-fire launchers, tunnel shafts, and a significant cache of weapons. The Palestinian toll rose, with reports of women and children among the casualties. Challenges mounted as Israeli blockades and the storming of hospitals since Monday left the wounded and dead beyond the reach of rescuers.
Reports indicated that Israeli forces also stormed Al-Khair hospital in the al-Mawasi area to the west, leading to the arrest of staff members. Israel initiated the war with the declared aim of destroying Hamas, responding to prior attacks that claimed 1,300 lives and took approximately 250 hostages.
As of the IDF website’s latest update, 217 soldiers have been killed since the ground invasion on October 27, contributing to a total of 552 fatalities since October 7. The toll on civilians in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has been significant, with at least 25,490 reported deaths, predominantly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict continues with both sides facing severe consequences, escalating tensions in the region.
