Twenty-one soldiers were killed on Monday in the deadliest incident since the start of the Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. Two explosions occurred as they were preparing two buildings in southern Gaza for demolition, causing the buildings to collapse.
As army spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters on Tuesday morning, the incident occurred about 600 meters from the border, opposite the Israeli town of Kissufim. The area is to become a buffer zone so that residents can return to Israeli towns and villages near the border.
Around 4 p.m. local time, terrorists fired a grenade at a tank that was protecting the soldiers. Simultaneously, there was a second explosion, Hagari said at the press conference. It is believed that mines planted by troops to destroy the two-story buildings detonated. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. It may have been triggered by a second anti-tank grenade.
Rescue workers: As after an earthquake
Military sources reported that two soldiers were killed in the attack on the tank. Several others were wounded, some seriously. The other 19 soldiers reportedly died when the two buildings collapsed. According to the online newspaper "Times of Israel," rescue workers said the scene reminded them of an earthquake site. The 21 dead were reservists.
Hagari, however, appealed to Israelis not to spread rumors about fallen soldiers. This leads to uncertainty. Every family of a killed soldier is informed before the name is made public. The military will continue to operate according to this principle in the future.
Three paratroopers killed
On Monday, three paratroopers were killed in fighting in the city of Khan Younis. They too were killed by a grenade fired at a building they were inside. A fourth soldier suffered serious injuries. The number of soldiers killed since the start of the offensive at the end of October has risen to 219.
The army also announced on Monday evening that around 50 Hamas terrorists had been killed in Khan Younis throughout the day. It emphasized that it was aware that civilians had sought refuge in some parts of the area and that hospitals were located there. The troops would make every effort to avoid harming them.
Gallant: Incident demonstrates the need for surgery
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Likud) described the deaths of the 21 soldiers as a "painful morning" and expressed his condolences to their families. He added: "This is a war that will determine Israel's future for decades to come – the fact that these soldiers have fallen compels us to achieve the objectives of the fight."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) declared that Israel would "not stop fighting – until absolute victory." The army has launched an investigation into the disaster: "We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything to protect the lives of our fighters." (Israelnetz)
