By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JERUSALEM/GAZA (Worthy News) – Israel confirmed Tuesday that 24 soldiers fighting in Gaza have been killed, the highest Israeli military death toll in a day so far during the Israel-Hamas war.
Most died when suspected Hamas forces fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at two adjacent buildings, causing their collapse and killing at least 19 reservists on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
A similar explosive device also hit a nearby Israeli tank, killing two soldiers, according to the military.
The buildings, located within half a mile (kilometer) from the border, were laden with Israeli mines to demolish Hamas sites and establish a buffer zone, several sources said.
“An RPG launched by Hamas hit a residential complex where dozens of our soldiers were operating. Initial estimates suggest that the RPG triggered the explosives inside, causing a catastrophic collapse,” the IDF said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, three officers in Israel’s Paratroopers Brigade were reportedly killed and another seriously injured during a battle in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
The IDF said it would form a special investigative team to probe the incidents in the Palestinian enclave.
VOWING BATTLE
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock about the killings but vowed that his nation would not stop fighting in Gaza until “absolute victory” over Hamas.
“Yesterday, we experienced one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war. The IDF has launched an investigation into the disaster. We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our soldiers,” he said.
However, “In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory,” the prime minister pledged.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his heart was with the families of those killed on “this difficult and painful morning” but that Israel would not back down.
“This war will determine the future of Israel for decades to come – the fall of soldiers is needed to achieve the goals of the war,” he explained.
However, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza hit back, saying at least “190 people have been killed and 340 others injured in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours.”
That brought the total Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly assault on the Gaza enclave since October 7 to 25,295, the Ministry of Health in the territory claimed Monday.
MANY CHILDREN
A ministry statement said Palestinians killed included 10,400 children and 7,100 women, while 63,000 others have been injured in Israel’s offensive, whole 7,000 Palestinians are missing.
The toll included 178 bodies brought to Gaza’s hospitals since Saturday, Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said.
The overall toll is thought to be higher because many casualties remain buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot reach, Al-Qidra added.
However, Hamas has declined to reveal how many combatants have been killed by Israel.
The Israeli military says it killed some 9,000 Hamas gunmen, almost a third of Hamas’ force of a reported 30,000 fighters.
Israel launched its campaign after Hamas entered Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people while taking about 250 others as hostages.
Netanyahu was quick to announce Israel’s plans to destroy Hamas, which has been condemned by the Jewish nation and most of its allies as a terrorist organization.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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