In a dramatic escalation in Gaza City, four Israeli soldiers were killed on Monday when their tank was hit by an explosive device planted by Hamas militants 💥, the Israeli military said.
According to the army’s initial report, at dawn three Hamas militants approached a tank stationed on the outskirts of Sheikh Radwan, a neighborhood in northwestern Gaza City. They opened fire and tossed an explosive into one of its hatches, setting the vehicle ablaze and killing all four soldiers inside.
Israeli troops quickly identified the attackers and returned fire, hitting one militant, and an Israeli soldier was moderately injured during the incident.
These latest losses bring the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since October 2023 to 903, according to official figures.
In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said forces have destroyed 50 multi-story buildings in Gaza over the past two days. "All of this is just an introduction, just a prelude, to the main, intensified operation – a ground maneuver by our forces, which are now organizing and gathering, moving into Gaza City," he warned, urging residents to evacuate.
Meanwhile, air strikes in Gaza City ramped up on Monday, including the demolition of the 14-story "Vision" tower in the western sector.
As tensions rise and the ground offensive looms, the region braces for what lies ahead.
Reference(s):
4 Israeli soldiers killed in tank attack amid expanding Gaza offensive
cgtn.com
