24 soldiers were killed on Monday, marking the largest single-day loss for the country since the commencement of its ground war in Gaza. The casualties occurred as rocket-propelled grenade fire struck a tank and two buildings in southern Gaza, claiming the lives of 21 reserve soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, dubbing it a “disaster,” while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant referred to the deaths as a “heavy blow.”
🚨Israeli soldiers were planting explosives to blow up 10 civilian homes in the Maghazi Refugee Camp in Gaza "to purify the area".
An RPG missile fired at them triggered all the explosives they planted & killed 21 IDF soldiers. pic.twitter.com/DnZYzxg8D4
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) January 23, 2024
An immediate investigation into the incident has been launched, with Netanyahu emphasizing the need for Israel to “learn the necessary lessons” from the tragic event. The soldiers were reportedly engaged in an operation to destroy structures in Khan Yunis, the largest city in southern Gaza, which the Israeli army claimed to have “encircled.”
As the fighting intensified on the ground, witnesses reported powerful explosions in Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah in north Gaza, and Rafah in the south. The Gaza Ministry of Health issued a stark warning, stating that Nasser Hospital and El Amal City Hospital in Khan Yunis, among the few partially operational medical facilities in the territory, were under “extreme danger” due to Israeli bombardment.
“The buildings of the Nasser Medical Complex are exposed to shrapnel, endangering the lives of patients, staff, and displaced people,” the ministry declared on its Telegram channel. Urgent intervention is being called for to safeguard both healthcare facilities.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Al-Jazeera released a video compilation depicting Israeli soldiers filming themselves engaging in insensitive behavior and enjoying moments amid the conflict, further escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The footage has sparked outrage, contributing to the already strained relations between Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Israeli soldiers have been filming themselves mocking Palestinians and posting it on social media as they continue their war on Gaza ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xdZeAb4z6x
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 18, 2024
