TEL AVIV: Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in Israel’s worst day of losses in Gaza, the military said on Tuesday as its forces encircled southern Gaza’s main city, trapping Palestinian residents trying to flee.
Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said 21 soldiers were killed when two buildings they had mined for demolition exploded after militants fired at a nearby tank. Earlier, three soldiers were reported killed in a separate attack in southern Gaza.
“Yesterday, we experienced one of our most difficult days since the war erupted,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The Israeli Defence Forces had on Monday launched a major operation to seize remaining parts of Khan Younis which is sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
Israeli tanks, advancing west across the crowded city towards Mediterranean, shut the last road out towards the coast on Tuesday, blocking the escape route for civilians trying to flee southwest towards the Egyptian border, residents said by phone.
At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the space of 24 hours, raising the documented toll to 25,490, according to Palestinian health officials, who say thousands more dead are feared lost in the rubble.
Palestinian officials said the advancing Israelis had blockaded hospitals, making it impossible to reach the dead and wounded.
The Israeli losses announced on Tuesday were celebrated as a victory by Palestinians.