Israeli army experiences its darkest day in Gaza amid fresh truce talks
Israel announced this morning that 24 soldiers had been killed in the last few hours in Gaza, the highest number since the war against Hamas began on 7 October.
- Netanyahu: Israel will not stop fighting "until absolute victory"
- Pressure mounts on government from hostages' families
As explained by army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, 21 soldiers died when they were preparing to demolish several buildings in central Gaza, near the border with Israel, to prevent Hamas from using them to launch rockets into Israeli territory.
Twenty-four soldiers died fighting terrorists in Gaza yesterday. So far, Israel has released twenty of their names.
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) January 23, 2024
This is an unbearable loss for the people of Israel. May their memories be a blessing.
🕯️Maj. David Nati Alfasi, 27
🕯️Maj. Ilay Levy, 24
🕯️Cpt. Eyal Mevorach… https://t.co/PhhzxRrzxb pic.twitter.com/l8LlInUQMX
The soldiers were preparing explosives to demolish the buildings when a Hamas fighter, "presumably coming out of a tunnel and therefore undetected", threw a grenade at a nearby tank, setting off the explosives and causing the buildings to collapse on the soldiers inside.
"As far as we know, at around four o'clock in the afternoon terrorists fired an RPG at a tank protecting the forces and at the same time there was an explosion in two two-storey buildings," said Hagari, who also noted that it is being investigated whether the explosion was the result of mines planted by Israeli troops themselves.
The IDF says soldiers of the 98th Division operated in an underground tunnel in Khan Yunis where hostages were being held. The entrance to the tunnel was booby-trapped. Troops encountered a number of terrorists and eliminated them. When the soldiers reached the tunnel, the… pic.twitter.com/ErLT1bqcJo
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) January 21, 2024
In addition to this incident, three IDF officers were killed on the same day while fighting Hamas in Khan Younis, an area where Israeli forces are trying to dismantle Hamas' military infrastructure. The tunnels in Khan Younis are also believed to be the hiding place of the terrorist group's leaders in Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar, probably using the hostages as human shields.
This is where Hamas held hostages.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 21, 2024
IDF soldiers operated in a tunnel located at the heart of a civilian area in Khan Yunis that was used to hold about 20 hostages at different times. The tunnel was about 830 meters long and about 20 meters deep.
We cannot and will not rest… pic.twitter.com/fDxLNr6lXb
Netanyahu: Israel will not stop fighting "until absolute victory"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mourned the deaths of the soldiers, saying the military authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. "We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything possible to preserve the lives of our warriors," Netanyahu said in a statement in which he also stressed that, "in the name of our heroes and for our lives", Israel will not stop fighting "until absolute victory".
"This is the war that will determine Israel's future for decades to come," said Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. "The death of soldiers demands that we achieve our goals in the war," he added.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 23, 2024
"Yesterday we experienced one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of the war.
I would like to stand by the dear families of our heroic fighters who fell on the battlefield. I know that for these families, their lives will change forever.
Israel's darkest day in Gaza coincides with an alleged proposal submitted by Jerusalem to Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators that includes up to a two-month pause in fighting as part of a multi-phase deal that would also include the release of all hostages held in Gaza, two Israeli officials revealed to Axios.
The media outlet indicates that Israel is now awaiting Hamas's response, although Jerusalem is "cautiously optimistic about the chances of progress in the coming days".
Released hostage Aviva Segal gives her eyewitness account as to the state of the young Israeli female hostages:
— 🎗️Tammy Rahamimoff-Honig (@RahamimoffTamar) January 23, 2024
“The terrorists bring inappropriate clothing, doll clothes, and they’ve turned those girls into their puppets, doing with them whatever they want, whenever they… pic.twitter.com/aWLNUGsUK9
Pressure mounts on government from hostages' families
More than 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, including children, women and the elderly.
Their families have been pressing the Israeli government for months to prioritise the release of the hostages and to take stronger measures in this regard. Yesterday, a group of relatives stormed a session of the Knesset Finance Committee to demand that the executive do more to secure the hostages' release.
Gaza residents get a financial reward and new safe life for their families outside of Gaza, by providing information leading to hostages. Simply send a WhatsApp message to +972-54‑610‑9777. pic.twitter.com/9QgSNl8HGc
— Avi Kaner ابراهيم אבי (@AviKaner) January 20, 2024
"You will not sit here while our children die," the protesters shouted, according to The Times of Israel. The relatives also denounced the lack of food and medicine for the hostages. "Is it reasonable that 260 trucks of flour are now entering Gaza and my brother doesn't eat anything?" asked Adi, the sister of one hostage.
“You’re sitting here convening about politics, how can you do this?… Don’t get off your chairs until there’s a deal to release them!”
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) January 22, 2024
Families and representatives of the hostages stormed a finance meeting in the Knesset today to make their needs heard.
Their pain, anger, and… pic.twitter.com/YhqNS7qHB6
Due to the great pressure, Netanyahu has met with a group of hostages' relatives, to which he assured that "contrary to what has been said, there is no real proposal from Hamas". The Prime Minister also confirmed that Israel had a proposal, although he did not give further details.
