An Israeli infantry unit was hit by a roadside bomb while on duty in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced today. The IDF rescue team was also attacked when it arrived at the scene to rescue the casualties.
The incident resulted in five soldiers killed and 14 injured, two of whom are in critical condition, the IDF said. The Israeli air force bombed the area to clear the way for the infantry before the ambush occurred.
 |
Israeli soldiers fighting in the Gaza Strip in a photo released 4/7. Photo: IDF |
Israeli soldiers fighting in the Gaza Strip in a photo released 4/7. Photo: IDF
The soldiers were from the 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion, operating under the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division, and were conducting a clearing operation in Beit Hanoun.
No armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Israeli media reported that the gunmen detonated the first bomb targeting an IDF armored vehicle. Two more bombs then targeted the rescue team. A 4th bomb was detonated as the gunmen attacked the surviving Israeli soldiers.
Several Israeli military vehicles were set on fire after the ambush. This is considered one of the deadliest battles for the IDF since the conflict in the Gaza Strip began.
 |
Location of Beit Hanoun city, Gaza Strip. Graphics: CNN |
Location of Beit Hanoun city, Gaza Strip. Graphics: CNN
The conflict in the Gaza Strip erupted in 10/2023 after the armed group Hamas launched a coordinated attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Currently, 49 people are still being held in the Gaza Strip, of whom 27 are believed by Israel to be dead.
Israel's subsequent retaliatory operation in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 56,000 people, mostly civilians, according to health officials in the territory. The United Nations considers this figure to be credible. AFP news agency reported that more than 430 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the conflict.
Nguyen Tien (Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, AP)
