23-1-2024 (JERUSALEM) In a tragic turn of events, the Gaza Strip witnessed the largest single-day toll for Israeli soldiers on January 22, marking a somber milestone since the commencement of Israel’s ground operation on October 27.
Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, reported that twenty-one soldiers lost their lives when rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire struck a tank near two buildings where an operation was underway. The incident unfolded around 4 pm local time on Monday, with all casualties being reservists.
The RPG targeted a tank safeguarding the troops, resulting in an explosion that caused two adjacent two-storey buildings to collapse. Rear-Adm Hagari explained that the buildings were identified as “terrorist infrastructure” in the area, leading troops to plant explosives before the structures were destroyed.
Despite deploying a medical evacuation team, extracting the bodies from beneath the rubble proved to be a complex operation, lasting until the late hours. Rear-Adm Hagari praised the dedication of the reservists, emphasizing their sacrifice for the security of Israel.
The day’s toll rose to 24 with this incident, marking the deadliest day since the initiation of the ground offensive in Gaza on October 27. Israel launched the offensive in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,140 casualties, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
In contrast, Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas in Gaza has claimed the lives of 25,295 people, mostly women, children, and adolescents, as reported by the health ministry of the Hamas-run territory.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences, acknowledging the “unbearably difficult morning” and extending prayers for the healing of the wounded.
