24 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza during Israel-Hamas war

Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed during fighting in southern Gaza on Monday, the military said, in the deadliest day for its troops inside the battered enclave since the war with Hamas began.

The Israel Defense Forces(IDF) in a statement said that twenty-one soldiers were killed in one incident, “removing structures and terrorist infrastructure,” when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired towards a tank protecting the unit.

Two two-story buildings then collapsed following an explosion, which likely was caused by explosives that had been laid by the Israeli troops, the IDF said.

Israeli media reported that two soldiers in the tank were killed.

Most of the Israeli forces killed were in or near the buildings, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a separate televised statement.

The IDF separately said on Monday that a captain and two majors were killed, all in southern Gaza.

On Monday, the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7 has risen to 25,295, with at least 63,000 injuries recorded.

The tank attack came as Israel seemingly shifts into a new phase of fighting in the embattled enclave, with the IDF pulling out some soldiers from Gaza and officials promising a less intense, more targeted approach.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deaths of the soldiers represented “one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war.”

In a post on X, Netanyahu said: “I wish to strengthen the dear families of our heroic warriors who fell on the battlefield. I know that for these families, their lives will be changed forever.”

“I mourn for our fallen heroic soldiers. I hug the families in their time of need and we all pray for the peace of our wounded.”

Netanyahu said the IDF had launched an investigation into the incident.

The IDF spokesperson said on Tuesday that it is “still not clear” what caused the building explosion.

“All families have been notified but only 10 names have been released so far,” he said.