24 Soldiers Killed in Deadliest Day Since Start of War

Stand for Israel  |  January 23, 2024

military operation, Gaza Strip, northern Gaza, IDF, soldiers, troops
Soldiers during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on December 28, 2023. (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

On Monday, a building collapsed as troops were operating in Gaza, killing 21 IDF soldiers. Three more perished in battle. To the grieving families, friends, and fellow soldiers, PM Netanyahu offered words of support, calling it “one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of war,” reports JNS:

The incident occurred 600 meters (2,000 feet) from the Israeli border, near the northwestern Negev community of Kibbutz Kissufim, as Israeli forces were working on clearing Hamas infrastructure and buildings to establish a buffer zone.

According to Hagari, around 4 p.m., terrorists fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a tank securing the forces. At the same time, two two-story buildings collapsed as a result of an explosion while most of the troops were inside or near them. The blast was apparently caused by explosives placed by the Israeli forces, intended to destroy the buildings in a controlled event…

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu called Monday “one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war,” saying that he was sending strength to the bereaved families.

“I mourn for our fallen heroic soldiers. I hug the families in their time of need and we all pray for the peace of our wounded,” the premier continued, adding that the IDF had opened an investigation into the incident.