Five Israeli soldiers were killed and ten others injured in a deadly explosion in northern Gaza on Monday. The incident occurred during a mission in the Beit Hanoun area, as the soldiers, part of the Nahal Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit, were preparing explosives for engineering work inside a building. The explosion caused the building to collapse, resulting in the soldiers’ deaths. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
This brings Israel’s total soldier fatalities to 407 over the course of more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza. Meanwhile, the region continues to suffer from ongoing Israeli airstrikes, which have led to numerous deaths and destruction across Gaza.
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Despite the violence, diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with negotiators in Qatar reportedly nearing a deal that could end the war and facilitate the release of hostages held in Gaza since October 7, 2023. However, the war has already claimed more than 46,500 lives in Gaza, most of them women and children, drawing widespread international condemnation.
The Israeli military’s actions in Gaza have led to significant legal challenges, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes.
