On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces reported that eight soldiers were killed in southern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest single incidents involving its troops since October 7. The incident occurred during an operation targeting 'terrorist infrastructure' in Tal al-Sultan.
The IDF stated that an armored vehicle carrying soldiers as part of a convoy was hit by an explosion, possibly caused by explosive devices planted in the area or anti-tank missile fire. The extent of the damage made it challenging to identify and locate the bodies of the deceased soldiers.
Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they carried out a complex ambush against enemy vehicles in Tal al-Sultan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and emphasized the need to continue pursuing the war goals, including destroying Hamas' capabilities and ensuring the safety of Israeli residents.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu for his response to the incident and accused him of prioritizing political gains over national unity.
The deaths of the eight soldiers in Rafah were mourned by various ministers, including defense minister Yoav Gallant and foreign minister Israel Katz.
Reports of airstrikes and artillery shelling in Rafah emerged as Israel intensified its operations in the area. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with at least 30 people killed and 95 injured in the past 24 hours.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacks on October 7, has led to a high number of casualties on both sides, with thousands of Israelis calling for an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of hostages.
