Jerusalem CNN —Twenty-one Israeli soldiers were killed during fighting in southern Gaza on Monday, the military said, in the biggest single loss of life for Israeli troops inside the battered enclave since the war with Hamas began.
In a televised statement Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said two buildings collapsed on the soldiers after being hit by an RPG during a military operation.
Before the incident on Monday, the military said 198 Israeli soldiers had died since operations in Gaza began.
In recent weeks, the Israeli military’s main focus has been in southern Gaza, with intense fighting around the city of Khan Younis.
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.
Persons:
Jerusalem CNN —, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Khan Younis
Organizations:
Jerusalem CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, IDF
Locations:
Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, Khan, “, Hamas