Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip on June 16, 2024.
Initial reports suggest that an anti-tank missile or a powerful explosive device may have been responsible for the blast.
Tensions remain high as Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas, with calls for a ceasefire growing louder.
The deaths bring the total number of Israeli troops killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict to at least 306.
The soldiers were traveling in an armored personnel carrier when they were ambushed by Hamas fighters using rocket-propelled grenades and other explosives.
In the early hours of June 16, 2024, Israeli forces suffered a significant loss when eight soldiers were killed in an explosion in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. The incident marked one of the deadliest days for Israeli troops since the start of their military campaign against Hamas militants.
According to reports, the soldiers were traveling in an armored personnel carrier when they were ambushed by Hamas fighters who used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and other explosives. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the vehicle and left no survivors among the troops.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation was underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for IDF, said that initial reports suggested that an anti-tank missile or a powerful explosive device may have been responsible for the blast.
The deaths of these eight soldiers bring the total number of Israeli troops killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict to at least 306. The ongoing violence has also resulted in thousands of injuries on both sides and forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes.
As Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas, tensions remain high, with calls for a ceasefire growing louder from various quarters. Meanwhile, Gazans are preparing for the somber Eid al-Adha holiday amidst the ongoing conflict and widespread destruction.
Soldiers Capt. (res.) Eitan Koplovich, 28, Senior Staff Sergeant Major (res.) Elon Waiss, 49, Sergeant Eliyahu Moshe Zimbalist, 21, Sergeant Itay Amar, 19, Staff Sergeant Stanislas Kostarev, 21 and Staff Sgt. Orr Blumovitz, 20 from Battalions 601 and 129 were killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip.
An attack by the 162nd Division on Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah resulted in the death of 50 terrorists and injury to several soldiers.
The incident where Capt. (res.) Eitan Koplovich and Senior Staff Sergeant Major (res.) Elon Waiss were killed occurred at around 05:15 a.m.
Two possibilities are being examined regarding the cause of the explosion that killed Capt. (res.) Eitan Koplovich and Senior Staff Sergeant Major (res.) Elon Waiss: an anti-tank missile hit the armored personnel carrier or the APC hit a powerful explosive device.
Accuracy
Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Saturday.
At least 306 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war.
Hamas carried out a complex ambush against eight Israeli soldiers in the Tal as-Sultan district of southern Rafah city, resulting in their deaths.
An additional Israeli support force was also destroyed after arriving at the scene.
At least 307 Israeli troops have been killed and thousands wounded since the ground invasion of Gaza began on October 27.
Accuracy
, At least 306 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
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Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
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Bias
(85%)
The author, Al Jazeera Staff, demonstrates political and ideological bias in their reporting. The article focuses on the deaths of Israeli soldiers and presents Hamas's perspective without adequately balancing it with Israel's viewpoint. The author states Hamas fighters killed eight Israeli soldiers traveling in military vehicles in Rafah after firing rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and then ambushing a support force deployed to the scene, highlighting the death toll from Israel's perspective. However, no direct quotes or examples are provided that demonstrate any counter-argument or Israel's response to these events. This imbalance in reporting suggests a political and ideological bias against Israel.
At least 307 Israeli troops have been killed and thousands wounded since October 27 when the ground invasion of Gaza was launched.
Hamas fighters killed eight Israeli soldiers traveling in military vehicles in Rafah after firing rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and then ambushing a support force deployed to the scene.
Israel's army said in a statement the eight soldiers “fell during operational activity in southern Gaza”, without elaborating.
