Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to take revenge against Hamas following the loss of 24 soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. This marks the highest number of casualties in a single day since the conflict with the Palestinian militant group began in October.
The IDF reported that 21 of its members were killed near Khan Younis when Hamas fighters launched anti-tank missiles at them, causing an explosion that resulted in the collapse of two buildings. Israeli troops were either inside or in close proximity to these structures.
The IDF has been engaged in a complex operation to evacuate the casualties and locate the injured, with commanders and rescue teams working on the ground. While details regarding the other three IDF fatalities on Monday were not provided by Israeli officials, Netanyahu described the day as one of the most challenging since the war began. He emphasized that the incident is under investigation to learn from it and ensure the preservation of soldiers’ lives.
Netanyahu concluded by affirming that Israel will continue to fight until achieving absolute victory, in honor of the fallen heroes and for the sake of their nation’s security.
According to Gaza health officials, over 25,000 individuals, primarily civilians, have lost their lives in the Palestinian enclave since the commencement of the war. Hamas initiated the conflict by launching unexpected attacks, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 people, including approximately 700 Israeli civilians and 71 foreigners. Additionally, they took numerous hostages back to Gaza. Since the Israeli ground offensive began in late October, around 220 IDF soldiers have also been killed.
The IDF has surrounded Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, suspecting that Hamas leaders are hiding there. Palestinian health officials reported on Monday that Israeli forces had entered one of the city’s hospitals and laid siege to another.
Despite calls for a two-state agreement to resolve the conflict and establish an independent Palestinian nation, Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected such negotiations. Allegedly, the Israeli government proposed a ceasefire lasting up to 60 days, with the condition of releasing all remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. However, Hamas declined this offer, as reported by multiple media outlets on Tuesday.
