The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has initiated an investigation into the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 21 soldiers in Gaza, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In response to the incident, Netanyahu expressed the need to learn from the situation and take all necessary measures to protect the lives of their soldiers. This incident marks the deadliest day for the Israeli military in Gaza since the start of their ground operations on October 27.
Netanyahu, in the wake of the soldiers’ deaths, declared that the IDF would continue their fight until achieving “absolute victory” over Hamas. The 21 IDF reservists were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade fired by a militant hit a tank, triggering a secondary explosion that caused two buildings to collapse on the soldiers. These casualties were part of the 24 Israeli soldiers who lost their lives in Gaza on Monday, marking the highest single-day loss during the nearly three months of ground warfare.
In mourning the loss, Netanyahu acknowledged that it had been one of the most challenging days since the war began. However, he emphasized that they would persist in their fight for the sake of their fallen heroes and their own lives.
Meanwhile, the IDF announced that they had successfully encircled the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, where the most intense fighting and airstrikes have taken place recently. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that in the past 24 hours alone, 195 people had been killed in the densely populated Palestinian territory. Israel accuses Hamas of using Al Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis as a base for their operations.
Due to the relentless air and artillery strikes by IDF forces, thousands of Palestinians who sought refuge at the sprawling hospital have fled. Patients and displaced civilians have described the escalating attacks as IDF forces close in on the facility.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 25,400 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in response to the October 7 terror attack by Hamas. Hamas does not differentiate between combatant and civilian deaths, while Israel claims that Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people in their October attack and currently holds around 240 hostages.
While about half of the hostages have been freed, there is increasing pressure from the remaining hostages’ families on Netanyahu’s government to prioritize their rescue, even if it means negotiating. Family members of the hostages stormed into a parliamentary meeting on Monday, demanding more action to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and continues to escalate, with both sides determined to achieve their respective goals.
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