Seven Israeli soldiers killed by an explosive in south Gaza

Israel’s forces on June 25th announced that an explosive device killed seven Israeli soldiers in south Gaza on June 24th, according to The New York Times via Reuters.

The forces stated the troops who died in Khan Younis were part of a team locating and destroying tunnels. The fatalities the Israeli forces suffered represent the largest number of Israeli troops lost in a single event in Gaza since the March ceasefire collapse.

Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the top Israeli military spokesman, declared the troops were killed after the device was placed nearby.

The recent fatalities will likely heighten public demand for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a lasting truce in Gaza. Extremist members of his conservative leadership firmly reject any move to end the nearly two-year conflict.

Hamas’ army division confirmed it executed the lethal assault in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on June 24th. It stated its combatants also launched an anti-armour missile at a vehicle that came for assistance, Reuters reported on June 25th.

The Gaza conflict has distanced Israel from global allies who oppose its military actions. According to local health officials, over 800 Palestinians died in Gaza during 12 days of Israel’s battle with Iran. The officials also stated that on June 25th alone, Israeli forces killed at least 30 people, including a journalist.

On June 19th, Israeli soldiers entered southern Syria, destroying homes and large areas of land, during the thick of a regional conflict, Maghrebi via Middle East Eye reported. Locals said armed Israeli troops moved at least 1.5 km into Quneitra province on June 19th. They destroyed no fewer than 15 houses and large areas of forest land and agriculture.

On June 24th, Israeli troops killed 71 Palestinians in Gaza, including 50 people seeking aid, Maghrebi via Middle East Eye reported. Gaza hospital authorities provided the numbers to Al Jazeera Arabic. In another strike close to the aid hubs north of Rafah, emergency officials reported 25 fatalities.

The United Nations has condemned what it described as the “weaponisation of food” in Gaza. It said that Israel’s military might be committing a war crime through these acts.

Additionally, Middle East Eye via Wafa news agency reported on June 23rd, that Israeli soldiers killed over 21 Palestinians as they carried out attacks throughout Gaza, including in locations where civilians gathered to receive aid.

The New York Times, Reuters, Maghrebi.org, Middle East Eye, Wafa