GAZA: Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip, the military admitted on Tuesday, the biggest death toll in a single day since the war began in October, amid what the people of Palestine said was the most intense bombing of southern Gaza in the conflict.
Reports indicate that the soldiers were preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in central Gaza when a rocket-propelled grenade at a nearby tank, triggering an explosion that caused the buildings to collapse on the soldiers.
The incident has intensified the ongoing debate within Israel on the feasibility of crushing the ruling Hamas fighters and securing the release of over 100 hostages held captive in Gaza.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to pressing ahead with the offensive, but increasing casualties have led to calls for a ceasefire from families of hostages and their supporters.
The heavy death toll in Monday’s incident may further fuel demands for a pause or halt to the offensive. The conflict, which started after Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack, has resulted in widespread destruction, displacement of 85 per cent of Gaza’s population, and over 25,000 Palestinian casualties, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory. The United Nations and international aid agencies warn of a humanitarian disaster with a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million people facing starvation.
