Tragedy struck in Gaza as 21 Israeli soldiers lost their lives in combat against Hamas, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday.
During a press briefing, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari revealed that the soldiers were in the process of preparing explosives for the demolition of two buildings. Unfortunately, militants launched a rocket-propelled grenade at a nearby tank on Monday, causing a premature explosion. This resulted in the collapse of the buildings, with soldiers either inside or in close proximity, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the grieving families of the fallen soldiers. In a statement on X, he said, "I wish to strengthen the dear families of our heroic warriors who fell on the battlefield. I know that for these families, their lives will be changed forever."
Prime Minister Netanyahu also announced that the military has initiated an investigation into the incident, seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
(With Agency Inputs)
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