Hamas fighters killed eight Israeli soldiers in an ambush in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli troops in recent months.
The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, stated that they executed a "complex ambush" in the Tal as-Sultan district, targeting military vehicles with Yassin-105 RPGs.
The initial attack on a D9 military bulldozer resulted in multiple casualties, followed by the destruction of a rescue vehicle sent to the scene.
Israel's military confirmed the deaths of the eight soldiers and announced an investigation into the incident. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized the ongoing efforts to neutralise Hamas fighters to protect Israeli civilians, referencing the October 7 attack as a significant motivator for the current ground invasion of Gaza.
Since the ground invasion began on October 27, Israel has lost at least 307 soldiers, while Gaza's health ministry reports over 37,296 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among women, children, and the elderly.
The high casualties on Saturday are expected to intensify calls for a ceasefire and increase public dissent within Israel.
Source:
https://www.aljazeera.com/
Image:
https://www.bbc.com/
