Israel-Gaza War : Monday marked a tragic day for the Israeli army as it reported the loss of 24 soldiers in Gaza, making it the deadliest day since the commencement of their ground operation. Among the casualties were 21 reservists who lost their lives in an explosion, likely triggered by mines placed by Israeli forces in two buildings slated for demolition, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). It appears that a missile fired by Palestinian armed fighters struck a tank near these structures.
The IDF is currently conducting an investigation to determine the specifics of the incident. Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry reported that 195 Palestinians lost their lives on the same day.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the IDF, disclosed that the reservists were killed in central Gaza around 16:00 (14:00 GMT) on Monday, near the Kissufim kibbutz on the Israeli side of the border. They were engaged in an operation to facilitate the safe return of southern Israel residents to their homes after mass evacuations following the October 7 Hamas attack.
Earlier on Monday, Israel’s military had confirmed the deaths of three officers in a separate attack in southern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the day’s losses as “one of the most difficult days since the war erupted,” vowing to continue the fight until “absolute victory.”
President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences, calling it an “unbearably difficult morning” and offering prayers for the healing of the wounded. Israel initiated the war with the goal of destroying Hamas, following the group’s attack on October 7 that resulted in the death of 1,300 people, mostly civilians, and the hostage-taking of about 250 others.
According to the IDF website, 217 soldiers have been killed since the start of Israel’s ground invasion on October 27, out of a total of 545 fatalities since October 7. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 25,295 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza since then.
