Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Tragedy struck Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip as three soldiers were killed and others, including an officer, were wounded in a booby-trapped building in Rafah. The Israeli military confirmed the fatalities on Tuesday, marking the deadliest single incident for its troops since a temporary truce with Hamas collapsed at the end of March.
The soldiers, all 20 years old, belonged to the Nahal Brigade's 50th Battalion. According to initial investigations, they were operating in a building in the southern Gaza city of Rafah when an explosive device, or possibly multiple devices, detonated. The structure subsequently collapsed, leading to the casualties.
This incident occurred amidst Israel's ongoing and intensified military operations in Rafah, an area Israel identifies as a significant Hamas stronghold and potentially the location of remaining hostages. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting targeted raids and expanding their ground presence in Rafah despite widespread international concern for the civilian population, many of whom were previously displaced to the area from other parts of Gaza.
The conflict, which reignited following Hamas's deadly October 7th attacks on southern Israel, has seen intermittent periods of negotiation for ceasefires and hostage releases. However, talks have repeatedly stalled. The end of the most recent truce in March led to a resumption of intense fighting.
The loss of these three soldiers underscores the perilous nature of urban warfare and the persistent dangers Israeli troops face as they navigate booby-trapped environments and engage with entrenched militant groups in densely populated areas. This event brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground offensive in Gaza to a figure approaching 300. The IDF continues its operations, stating its aim is to dismantle Hamas's military capabilities and secure the return of all hostages.
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