Tragedy struck as at least 21 Israeli soldiers lost their lives in a devastating attack, marking the deadliest encounter since the conflict with Hamas began. The soldiers were engaged in preparations to demolish two buildings in central Gaza on Monday when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a nearby tank.
Buried Under Rubble: Explosions Leave Soldiers Trapped
As the rocket-propelled grenade struck, the blast triggered the explosives prematurely, causing the buildings to collapse. Tragically, the soldiers found themselves trapped beneath the rubble, with no means of escape. Emergency crews tirelessly labored for hours, trying to rescue the trapped soldiers, but sadly, 21 of them could not be saved.
Credit: AFP
A Devastating Blow Amidst the Conflict
This latest attack on Israeli forces in Gaza has dealt a significant blow to the ongoing conflict. With the loss of 21 soldiers, the entire nation mourns the sacrifice made by these brave men. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, IDF Spokesman, shared, “An RPG was fired by terrorists at a tank securing the forces, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred at two two-story buildings. The buildings collapsed due to this explosion, while most of the forces were inside and near them.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) now face the challenging task of regrouping and continuing their mission while coping with this immense tragedy.
This article originally appeared on F5 Magazine.