Israel-Gaza war: IDF says 24 soldiers killed in Gaza in one day
The Israeli military reported that 24 of its soldiers lost their lives in Gaza on Monday, marking the deadliest day since the commencement of their ground operation.
Among the casualties were 21 reservists who perished in an explosion, likely triggered by mines placed by Israeli forces in two buildings scheduled for demolition, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
It is believed that a missile, fired by Palestinian armed fighters, struck a tank near the targeted buildings. The IDF is currently investigating the incident.
The Gaza-based Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported that 195 Palestinians were killed on the same day.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the IDF, stated that the reservists met their demise in central Gaza around 16:00 (14:00 GMT) on Monday, close to the Israeli border near the kibbutz of Kissufim.
They were participating in an operation aimed at facilitating the safe return of southern Israel residents to their homes after the mass evacuations following the October 7th Hamas attack.
Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military had confirmed the deaths of three officers in a separate attack in southern Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized Monday’s losses as “one of the most difficult days since the war erupted” and pledged to continue the fight until “absolute victory.”
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, “In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences, acknowledging the “unbearably difficult morning” upon learning the extent of the death toll. He offered prayers for the healing of the wounded and consoled the affected families on behalf of the entire nation.
Israel launched the war with the declared aim of destroying Hamas after waves of its gunmen killed 1,300 people – mostly civilians – and took about 250 others hostage in the unprecedented attack.
According to the IDF website, 217 soldiers have been killed since the beginning of Israel’s ground invasion on 27 October out of a total of 545 killed since 7th October.
At least 25,295 people – mainly women and children – have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
