Explosion of ‘Baggage Truck’ Kills Eight IDF Soldiers During Rafah Operation

Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion during an operation in Rafah, Gaza. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident marks the deadliest for the Israeli army since the war began in October.

The Israeli military suffered a major loss in south eastern Gaza Strip where eight soldiers died on Saturday after an armored vehicle they were travelling in was blown up. It makes it the worst attack for the Israeli military since the start of the conflict in October.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the soldiers were returning from an overnight mission in Rafah's Tal al-Sultan neighborhood around 5:A local time of 3:15 am with the explosion taking place shortly after. Preliminary findings showed that an explosive ‘engineering material’ was detonated close to the car. 

The Gaza-based Palestinian militant group, which controls Hamas, has its armed wing take responsibility for the attack. It claimed that they laid an ambush and fired a rocket at the armored vehicle belonging to the Israelis.

Of the killed one was 23 yr old Captain Wassem Mahmoud, according to the IDF. The identity of other soldiers who lost their lives will be published after the respective families have been informed. 

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We have been given a heavy price in a just war for our home. ” While stating this, he also promised that the war in order to protect the future of Israel will continue. The Minister of Defense, Mr. Yoav Gallant also wrote words of condolence, stating that it is possible to imagine the tremendous grief of such a loss.

The raid happened at a time when Israeli ground troops continue to launch attacks in a bid to evict Hamas fighters from Rafah town which Israel has said is its last stronghold in Gaza. Not only has this incursion deepened the humanitarian crisis in the city, where the UN believes that about one million Palestinians have sought shelter. 

Non-governmental organizations involved in the provision of humanitarian aid have reported that hunger and famine-like situation had become commonplace in most of the Gazan population. Several heads of state around the world including the current U. S. President Joe Biden has urged Israel against all out assault on Rafah.

Palestinians and medics said that Gaza health ministry has estimated that more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war started last October after Hamas attacked Israel and taken over more than 250 hostages. Tens of thousands of others have been killed in the conflict and many more injured or forced from their homes. Some 1,200 Israelis were killed in the first wave of attacks staged by Hamas.

Also Read: US Considers Hamas’ Response on Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

The deceased are the newest victims in a conflict that has been ongoing for eight months and does not appear to be winding down soon. On the frontline, as both sides exchange blows, Israelis are grieving the loss of a soldier, while Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face even more precarious conditions.