June 16th 2024.
On Saturday, the Israel Defence Forces announced that eight of its soldiers were killed in southern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest single incidents involving its troops since October 7. The IDF stated that the incident is still under review, but preliminary findings suggest that an armored vehicle carrying soldiers as part of a convoy was struck by an explosion at around 5:15am local time. This occurred during an operation targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in the northwestern part of Tal al-Sultan.
According to the IDF, the explosion may have been caused by explosive devices planted in the area or by anti-tank missiles. They are also investigating whether there was additional explosive material on board the vehicle that may have contributed to the severity of the explosion. The IDF emphasized that this type of incident was not supposed to occur and the incident is currently being examined.
The damage from the explosion was so extensive that it was difficult to identify and locate the bodies of the fallen soldiers, the Israeli military reported. Brigadier General Hidai Zilberman stated that this tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the price of war and the bravery of those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the state of Israel. He expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers and acknowledged that this loss affects all citizens of Israel, regardless of their religion or background.
The IDF has not yet announced who they believe is responsible for the incident. However, the militant group Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for a "complex ambush" against enemy vehicles in Tal al-Sultan. They reported that they targeted a military bulldozer, which then caught on fire, and when rescue troops arrived, they hit an armored personnel carrier with a missile strike. The group warned that their attacks against the enemy will continue wherever they are present.
One of the fallen soldiers was identified as Captain Wassem Mahmoud, Deputy Company Commander in the Engineering Battalion. The other seven names have not yet been disclosed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his deep sorrow over the deaths and described the enemy as "loathsome and murderous." He pledged to stick to the war goals of destroying the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, returning all abductees, and ensuring the safety of Israeli residents in the north and south.
Netanyahu faced criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who accused him of prioritizing political gains over national unity. Speaking at an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv, Lapid offered his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and criticized Netanyahu's response to a previous incident involving the deaths of four soldiers earlier in the week. He also called for an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of remaining hostages.
The rally in Tel Aviv was attended by thousands of Israelis, and similar protests have been taking place almost weekly. Various ministers, including defence minister Yoav Gallant and foreign minister Israel Katz, expressed their sorrow for the loss of the soldiers. Meanwhile, former war cabinet member Benny Gantz described the fallen soldiers as "the beautiful faces of the people of Israel, the best among us."
The incident occurred as Israel continued its push into Rafah, where there have been reports of air strikes and artillery shelling since dawn. The Civil Defence Directorate in Gaza reported that at least 14 people, including seven children, were killed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza. Overall, 30 people have been killed and 95 injured in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza began after the Hamas attacks on October 7, resulting in the deaths of around 1200 people. Since then, at least 37,296 people have been killed in Israel's offensive in Gaza, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Stay up to date on all the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news by joining our WhatsApp channel. We value your privacy and your information will not be shared or seen by anyone else.
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