21 Israeli soldiers killed in deadliest attack on IDF start of Gaza war | World News

At least 21 Israeli soldiers have been killed in a deadly strike in central Gaza, in what is thought be the IDF’s biggest single loss since the conflict began.

Israeli soldiers were preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in Gaza on Monday, when they were ambushed by a militant who hit them with a rocket-powered grenade, Israeli media reports.

The strike triggered a huge explosion, causing the buildings to collapse while the soldiers were still inside.

Both buildings were confirmed to have been full of mines that the Israeli troops planted themselves.

Three more IDF soldiers were announced dead yesterday, bringing the total number of soldiers killed to 24 in 24 hours.

This is believed to be the highest daily death toll for Israeli troops since the start of the Gaza ground offensive in late October.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead until Israel crushes the ruling Hamas militant group and wins the freedom of more than 100 hostages held captive in Gaza.

Israelis are increasingly divided on the question of whether it is possible to do either.

Families of the hostages and many of their supporters have called for Israel to reach a ceasefire deal, saying time is running out to bring the hostages home alive.

On Monday, dozens of hostages’ relatives stormed a parliamentary committee meeting, demanding a deal to win their loved ones’ release.

The heavy death toll could add new momentum to calls for Israel to pause the offensive or even halt it altogether, as Netenyahu faces increased criticism for waging what is seen as an ‘unwinnable’ war.

Large numbers of Israeli casualties have put pressure on Israel’s government to halt past military operations.

Israel launched the offensive after Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack that killed over 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others.

The offensive has caused widespread destruction, displaced an estimated 85% of Gaza’s population and left more than 25,000 Palestinians dead, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.

The United Nations and international aid agencies say the fighting has unleashed a humanitarian disaster with a quarter of the area’s 2.3 million people facing starvation.

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