Israel says 24 soldiers killed in Gaza in deadliest day for IDF since war began

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Israeli forces suffered their most deadly day since the start of the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza, with 24 Israeli soldiers killed, most of them in a single incident.

Reservist units were clearing houses in central Gaza on Monday when two buildings exploded and collapsed, killing 21 soldiers, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Three additional officers were reported killed during fierce fighting in the southern city of Khan Younis, bringing the IDF death toll during the ground operation to 219.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the death toll made it “one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war”, as he paid tribute to the soldiers and their families. He also said that “in the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

The premier has come under mounting pressure over his handling of the war, including from inside his own war cabinet and from the families of the remaining hostages seized during the surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

Israeli forces had laid mines inside the buildings in central Gaza, about 600 metres from the border with Israel, ahead of a planned demolition. The mines are thought to have been set off by a rocket-propelled grenade fired at a nearby tank, although the cause of the explosion was still being investigated, said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief IDF spokesperson, on Tuesday.

Israel launched a punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza with the goal of destroying the Palestinian militant group in response to its October 7 cross-border attack. At least 1,200 Israelis were killed in the assault and about 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.

Almost 25,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health authorities in the Hamas-ruled territory. International aid groups have…