Biggest Single Israeli Loss: IDF Losses 24 Soldiers At Khan Younis
In its biggest single-day loss, the Israel army in Gaza lost 24 soldiers’ lives when it encircled Southern Gaza’s main city amid the continued group assault. Israeli spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that the two buildings that the soldiers had mined exploded after the militant fired at a nearby tank, killing 21 soldiers. The other three soldiers were killed in separate attacks in Southern Gaza, Routers reported.
Commenting on the loss of the soldiers’ lives, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the incident is a “heavy blow’ to Israel. Making the total death toll of Israeli soldiers 219 since the start of the Israeli ground operation, the incident caused the single largest loss for Israel soldiers.
Israeli media reported that the explosion happened when the soldiers planted mines to demolish the structure. Explaining how the explosion happened, leading to the collapse of the building, the defence spokesperson said that an A rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) was fired at a tank. “At around 4 p.m., an RPG was fired by gunmen at a tank securing the forces, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred in two two-story buildings. The buildings collapsed due to this explosion, while most of the forces were inside and near them,” Daniel Hagari said. The Israeli media reported that the a large number of troops worked for hours to take out the dead and injured soldiers from under the collapsed building.
Reacting to the incident, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the day was one of the most difficult days since the start of the war. In his post on X, the Prime Minister said that he ordered an inquiry into the incident and exhorted the force to learn lessons and safeguard the lives of the fighters.
However, the prime minister continued his usual rhetoric saying that the fight will continue in Gaza. “On behalf of our heroes, for our very lives, we will not stop fighting until total victory,” Benjamin Netanyahu said.
The IDF has opened an inquiry into the tragedy. We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything to safeguard the lives of our fighters.
On behalf of our heroes, for our very lives, we will not stop fighting until total victory.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 23, 2024
