In what's being dubbed the most significant loss of life for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in recent months, a fireball consumed an armoured vehicle in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of eight soldiers.
The fatalities occurred in Rafah during the ongoing invasion of the city bordering Egypt. This invasion has led to at least 19 recent Palestinian deaths due to relentless Israeli airstrikes.
Despite global warnings, Israel proceeded with its siege on the city. US President Biden had previously outlined the potential repercussions to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the assault went ahead, including the possibility of withdrawing support for the country.
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The homes of many Palestinians have been utterly destroyed in the airstrikes and other assaults launched by the IDF (Anadolu via Getty Images)The cause of the explosion remains uncertain. Allegedly, a convoy of combat engineers was returning from a mission in about half a dozen armoured vehicles around 5am local time on Saturday morning. They were heading back to the Tal al-Sultan region of Rafah, as reported by The Guardian.
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This is where the vehicle met its fiery end. The incident happened just hours after Hamas' military wing claimed that fighters had ambushed an armoured personnel carrier, causing several casualties among Israeli soldiers in the western region of the city - the focal point of Israel's deadly siege.
The Times of Israel has reported that an investigation has been initiated into the explosion, but it's not immediately clear what triggered it - whether it was a planned ambush by Hamas troops or a pre-planted bomb. The convoy was reportedly returning to an area occupied by the army, with the soldiers heading back for some rest.
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The IDF launched its offensive into Rafah despite warnings from other countries and even Israel's own citizens (IDF/GPO/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock)It was reported that everyone inside the vehicle was killed instantly, with external explosives on the vehicle intensifying the power of the detonation.
According to The Guardian, the recent IDF fatalities could lead to stronger calls for a ceasefire. Activists and state actors worldwide have already been advocating for this as numerous hostages remain in Hamas' custody, millions of Palestinians are without food and water, and the flow of aid is largely blocked by the IDF.
Many Palestinians are also believed to be wrongfully imprisoned by Israel, and a ceasefire could lay the groundwork for their release.
There have been 307 IDF soldiers killed by Hams militants compared to over 37,000 Palestinians who have been slaughtered by the IDF (AFP via Getty Images)In January, a single attack reportedly claimed the lives of 21 troops, marking the deadliest attack on the IDF since October 7 and remains the most lethal to date. The eight fatalities on Saturday represent the deadliest attack since then.
The Guardian has reported that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have lost around 307 soldiers, which is less than 1% of the number of Palestinians killed by the IDF since October 7. This was when Hamas militants invaded and killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, many of whom were taking shelter in their homes along the Gaza border or attending an outdoor music festival near the border.
Israel's response to this attack has been relentless and brutal, leading to the United Nations launching an investigation into potential war crimes committed since October 7. The retaliatory strikes have resulted in over 37,000 Palestinians being killed, including ground invasions in several cities in the Gaza Strip and bombings of hospitals, refugee camps and other areas deemed safe by the IDF.
Thousands of Palestinians have been slaughtered by the IDF since its retaliatory war of attrition against Hamas began anew on Oct. 7 (AFP via Getty Images)The IDF has justified many of these attacks by claiming that Hamas leaders or troops were hiding among the refugees in the camps or seeking shelter in the hospitals. These are the same places where dozens of severely injured, malnourished and suffering Palestinians sought refuge after initial airstrikes destroyed their homes and took the lives of their family members.
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Global outrage has erupted in response to the horrific acts taking place in the Gaza Strip, with campaigners calling for immediate ceasefire and pushing for the delivery of aid. Activists are further requesting an unmistakable end to what they're branding as genocide, alongside a demand for educational institutions and governments - including the US - to divest from Israel and halt financial support linked to the ongoing conflict.
According to The Guardian, it's been revealed that 900 distraught parents of IDF servicemen signed a petition this May pleading for an abandonment of the Rafah strike; they cited it as a "deadly trap" not only for their sons but also for city residents. Until now, Rafah had served as one of the last remaining safe zones within the war-ravaged Gaza.
Additionally, another letter was crafted last week in opposition to a recent law suggesting protection for religious men from military service. This newly penned plea made by families implores their government to desist from sending their children into combat.
The heartfelt plea calls on the IDF to "stop the fighting right now, put down their weapons and return home immediately." It added passionately: "We will not sacrifice our children on the alter of public corruption."
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