“This war has a very painful and heavy price; the devoted reservists who rallied to the flag sacrificed everything for the security of Israel so that we all can live here securely.”
The Israeli military on Tuesday said it lost 24 soldiers Monday in the Gaza Strip, including 21 reservists in a single incident near the border. This is the single deadliest incident for the IDF since the Oct. 7 raid by Hamas that started Israel’s offensive in the besieged enclave.
IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari explained, “The forces were operating in an area between the Israeli communities and Gaza – near the community of Kissufim. The forces were removing structures and terrorist infrastructure in the area, approximately 600 meters from the border.”
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The buildings were being rigged for demolition by the Israeli troops when Hamas fired an RPG at a tank securing the forces. A second blast then occurred in the buildings, possibly as a result of a second RPG, leading to their collapse on top of those inside and nearby.
“The mission is intended to provide the security conditions necessary to allow the residents of southern Israel to return to their homes,” Hagari added.
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“This war has a very painful and heavy price; the devoted reservists who rallied to the flag sacrificed everything for the security of Israel so that we all can live here securely,” he continued.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement about the incident, stating that, “Yesterday, we experienced one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war. I would like to stand by the dear families of our heroic fighters who fell on the battlefield. On behalf of our heroes, for our very lives, we will not stop fighting until total victory.
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The incident took place as Israel faces increasing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza.
Israeli government reportedly submitted a proposal to Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators requesting a two-month ceasefire in exchange for all Israeli hostages, Hamas however, rejected the deal, stating that it won’t accept any deal without a permanent ceasefire, according to CBN News.
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