Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza blast, army says
A young man covers his head with an Israeli flag as he mourns Ronel Ben-Moshe, a soldier killed in the Gaza Strip the day before, during his funeral in Rehovot on June 25, 2026. Seven Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza after an attack on their armoured vehicle, Israel said on June 25, in one of the deadliest incidents for its forces in the more than 20-month war. Photo: AFP
Listen to article
Seven soldiers were killed in Gaza after an attack on their armoured vehicle, Israel said Wednesday, in one of the deadliest incidents for its forces in the more than 20-month war.
The troops were operating in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Tuesday when their vehicle caught fire after assailants attached an explosive device to it, the Israeli military said.
The army's website listed the names of the seven soldiers, including a platoon commander from the battalion who "fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip".
"Yesterday afternoon, during an operational activity, an explosive device was attached to an armored Puma vehicle belonging to the brigade's forces," military spokesperson Effie Defrin told a briefing.
"As a result, the armored vehicle caught fire. Rescue forces and helicopters were dispatched to the scene and made attempts to extract the soldiers, but were unsuccessful."
Read More: Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks gain momentum as Trump says 'great progress' on Gaza
The fatalities fuelled calls for a settlement to end the fighting in Gaza.
"The war in Gaza has run its course, it is being conducted with no clear purpose and no concrete plan," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing the families of those abducted by Hamas, said in a statement.
The war was triggered by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,077 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The United Nations considers its figures reliable.
Also Read: US gives $30m to controversial aid group in Gaza despite violence concerns
Of the 251 hostages seized by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
The deadliest incident for Israeli forces in the war was recorded on January 22, 2024, when 21 soldiers were killed in the collapse of two buildings that came under fire from Palestinian gunmen.
More than 440 Israeli soldiers have died in the war so far.
The territory of more than two million people is suffering from famine-like conditions after Israel blocked all supplies from early March and continues to impose restrictions, according to rights groups.
After Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said focus would now shift back to Gaza.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza blast, army says
A young man covers his head with an Israeli flag as he mourns Ronel Ben-Moshe, a soldier killed in the Gaza Strip the day before, during his funeral in Rehovot on June 25, 2026. Seven Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza after an attack on their armoured vehicle, Israel said on June 25, in one of the deadliest incidents for its forces in the more than 20-month war. Photo: AFP Listen to article Seven soldiers were killed in Gaza after an attack on their armoured vehicle, Israel said Wednesday, in one of the deadliest incidents for its forces in the more than 20-month war. The troops were operating in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Tuesday when their vehicle caught fire after assailants attached an explosive device to it, the Israeli military said. The army's website listed the names of the seven soldiers, including a platoon commander from the battalion who "fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip". "Yesterday afternoon, during an operational activity, an explosive device was attached to an armored Puma vehicle belonging to the brigade's forces," military spokesperson Effie Defrin told a briefing. "As a result, the armored vehicle caught fire. Rescue forces and helicopters were dispatched to the scene and made attempts to extract the soldiers, but were unsuccessful." Read More: Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks gain momentum as Trump says 'great progress' on Gaza The fatalities fuelled calls for a settlement to end the fighting in Gaza. "The war in Gaza has run its course, it is being conducted with no clear purpose and no concrete plan," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing the families of those abducted by Hamas, said in a statement. The war was triggered by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,077 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The United Nations considers its figures reliable. Also Read: US gives $30m to controversial aid group in Gaza despite violence concerns Of the 251 hostages seized by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The deadliest incident for Israeli forces in the war was recorded on January 22, 2024, when 21 soldiers were killed in the collapse of two buildings that came under fire from Palestinian gunmen. More than 440 Israeli soldiers have died in the war so far. The territory of more than two million people is suffering from famine-like conditions after Israel blocked all supplies from early March and continues to impose restrictions, according to rights groups. After Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said focus would now shift back to Gaza.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Israeli commandos operated in Iran during 12-day war: military
JERUSALEM: The head of Israel's military said Wednesday that Israeli commandos had operated secretly inside Iran during the countries' 12-day war. "We achieved full control over Iranian airspace and in every location where we chose to operate," chief of staff Eyal Zamir said in a televised address. "This was made possible thanks to, among other things, coordination and tactical deception carried out by our air force and ground commando units," he added. ME bourses advance on Iran-Israel ceasefire "The forces operated in secret deep within enemy territory and created operational freedom of action for us." Both countries have claimed victory in the conflict since a ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday. The war erupted on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign that it said aimed to stop Iran developing a nuclear weapon -- an ambition Iran has consistently denied. Zamir was the first Israeli official to say publicly that Israeli soldiers had operated on the ground in Iran. "The campaign is not yet finished," he added. "We must remain on guard -- many challenges await."
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks gain momentum, Trump says great progress on Gaza
Listen to article Negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza have gained fresh momentum, according to a senior Hamas official. This development follows statements by US President Donald Trump, suggesting "great progress" regarding Gaza. "I think great progress is being made on Gaza. Because of this attack that we made, I think we're going to have some very good news," Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of a NATO summit in The Hague. Trump also mentioned that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had informed him that "Gaza is very close" to reaching an agreement. As reported by AFP, a senior Hamas leader confirmed that discussions between the two sides have intensified in recent hours. Mediating countries, particularly Egypt and Qatar, continue to play a central role in facilitating dialogue. Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani earlier expressed hopes that indirect talks between Israel and Hamas could take place in the coming days. Hamas spokesperson Taher Al-Nounou stated that communication with these "brotherly mediators" has remained ongoing and has become more active recently. Despite the intensification of talks, Al-Nounou clarified that Hamas has not yet received any new or concrete proposals that could bring a definitive end to the war. Read: US gives $30m to controversial aid group in Gaza despite violence concerns Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, commending his efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In the letter, Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority, praised Trump's role in securing the truce and expressed his willingness to collaborate on a broader peace deal that would end the Israeli occupation and bring long-term stability to the region. Abbas offered his support for working with the US and other Arab and international countries to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement. "We hope and trust in your ability to make a new history for our region that will restore to the region the peace lost for generations," Abbas wrote in his letter, as reported by the Wafa news agency. The letter comes amid continued violence in Gaza, where hospitals report that at least 41 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since the early hours of the day. Among the dead are 14 individuals who were reportedly near aid distribution centres, further compounding the humanitarian crisis in the region. Read more: EU seeks Gaza progress In Gaza City, a resident, Ramzi Khaled, described a harrowing scene to Reuters after an Israeli airstrike hit a building sheltering displaced people. Khaled recounted the explosion that brought down the ceiling, leaving many people in pieces. "We started working with a hammer – and primitive things," he said, describing how he and others tried to retrieve bodies using their hands and basic tools, as there were no bulldozers or other machinery available. Israel's war on Gaza The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 55,700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's military offensive began Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
