JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army said eight soldiers were killed in an explosion in southern Gaza on Saturday, the deadliest attack on Israeli troops in months.
The attack, more than eight months into a brutal war that shows little sign of ending soon, is likely to stir new calls for a ceasefire by Israeli protesters and as the government faces widespread anger over its exemption of young people from military service. Ultra-Orthodox man.
Israel Air and ground attack on Gaza This comes after a cross-border attack by Hamas and other militants on October 7 killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Local health officials say Israeli attacks have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians. They make no distinction between civilians and combatants. They have also caused a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, forcing more than 80% of the population to flee, and Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, leading to widespread hunger.
Saturday’s explosion Southern city of Rafah Israel considers it Hamas’ last major stronghold and sent ground troops to the city in early May but has given no indication when the operation might end.
“They knew they might have to sacrifice their lives, but they did so so that we could live in this country. I want to pay tribute to them and embrace their families,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on Twitter X.
The army said the explosion took place in the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah just after 5 a.m. Israeli military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said the blast was the result of an explosive or anti-tank missile planted by Hamas.
“We need to defeat Hamas’ Rafah Brigades and we are determined to do so,” he said.
In January, 21 Israeli soldiers killed in a single attack by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
President Joe Biden Earlier this month, Israel announced a new ceasefire proposal calling for the release of about 120 hostages remaining in Gaza and an end to the fighting. The plan has been broadly accepted by the international community, but both Israel and Hamas have expressed concerns. Benjamin Netanyahu They have said they will not stop the war until they achieve their twin goals of destroying Hamas’ military and governance.
FILE – An Israeli military bulldozer is seen near the border of the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, Thursday, June 13, 2024. The Israeli army said Saturday, June 15, that eight soldiers were killed in southern Gaza in the deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
“Today, we made another heartbreaking sacrifice in a just war in defense of our homeland,” Netanyahu said Saturday. “With deep sadness and profound condolences, I bow my head together with the entire Israeli people and mourn the loss of our heroic warriors.”
The inconclusive war has divided Israelis, with tens of thousands taking to the streets every Saturday night to demand that the government reach a deal to return the hostages home. The Israeli government has said more than 40 hostages held by Hamas have been killed, and officials fear the number could grow if the hold continues.
At a rally on Saturday night, participants watched a video message from Andrei Kozlov, who was rescued from Hamas captivity a week ago.
“More than 120 hostages are still there. I can’t take any happiness out of this situation because I was rescued and they were not,” he said, according to the Hostage Families Forum headquarters. “I ask that they be brought home as soon as possible. I ask Israel, the world and Hamas to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”
Speaking at a weekly meeting of hostage relatives in Tel Aviv, Rotem Calderon, the son of hostage Ofer Calderon, said he was not prepared to “live in a world full of death.”
“I’m not ready to live in a country with a government that would force us to move to its borders, to join its wars, and then ultimately abandon us,” he said. “I’m not ready to live without my father.”
The deadly explosion came days after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government voted in favor of the extension. Controversial draft exemption It is given to ultra-Orthodox men.
The vote was procedural but caused a stir as Israel continues to battle Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah along the northern border with Lebanon, with the death toll continuing to rise. More than 600 soldiers have been killed in fighting since Oct. 7, according to the military.
Israel’s Supreme Court last month ordered the suspension of government subsidies for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men not serving in the military, but Netanyahu’s government, which includes politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties, has found ways to keep money flowing to religious institutions.
The government is still under orders to pass new legislation.
Most Jewish men and women are required to serve in the military starting at age 18. Exemptions given to men with religious beliefs have long been a source of public controversy.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was the only member of Netanyahu’s coalition government to vote against this week’s bill. A member of the country’s war cabinet, Gallant has argued that all segments of Israeli society should contribute equally in the war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
A view of the Gaza Strip skyline from southern Israel near the border with Gaza, Saturday, June 15, 2024. The Israeli army said Saturday that eight soldiers were killed in southern Gaza in the deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months. (AP Photo)
If Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish partners quit the government, the country would be forced to hold new elections, with Netanyahu’s popularity low and his chances of re-election slim.
Thousands of people protested against the government on Saturday, demanding new elections and the release of hostages.
“The fact that eight soldiers were killed today highlights the need for change,” said protester Amir Schnabel. “We cannot accept this reality for long. If eight soldiers were killed today, more will be killed the next day and the day after. The only way to bring about change is to protest and to overthrow the government, and we must do it as soon as possible.”
Months of ceasefire talks have failed to find common ground between Israel and Hamas, and on Wednesday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas had proposed changes to the US-backed plan, some of which were “workable” but some were not.
Hamas has always called for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as part of any deal leading to the hostage release. The proposal released by U.S. President Joe Biden includes those two provisions, but Hamas has expressed concerns about whether Israel will abide by them.
Meanwhile, violence has intensified in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas. The Ramallah-based Health Ministry said a 16-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces on Saturday near the northern city of Nablus. An Israeli security official confirmed that Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians who were throwing stones at Israeli troops during a counterterrorism operation in the area. The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official military statement.
