8 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza, only one identified by army so far | World News

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

The deaths will likely fuel calls for a ceasefire and increase Israeli public anger over the military's ultra-Orthodox exemptions.

Representative image: The Israeli military said on Saturday that eight soldiers were killed in southern Gaza in the deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months. Photo: Bloomberg

P.A. Jerusalem

The Israeli military said Saturday that eight soldiers were killed in southern Gaza in the deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months.
Only one of the dead soldiers has been identified by the army. No further information was immediately available.

The deaths will likely fuel calls for a ceasefire and exacerbate Israeli public anger over ultra-Orthodox military exemptions.
In January, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed in a single attack by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Months of ceasefire negotiations have failed to find common ground between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas had proposed changes to a U.S.-backed plan, some of which he said were “feasible” and others not, without elaborating.

ALSO READ: Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes; Gaza truce plan in balance, UN says

Israel's bombings and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, who do not give the number of civilians and fighters.

The war has also driven about 80 percent of the country's 2.3 million people from their homes, and Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting have hampered efforts to deliver humanitarian aid, fueling widespread hunger.

Israel launched its campaign after Hamas and other militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.

More than 100 hostages were freed last year during a week-long ceasefire in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Hamas is believed to be holding around 80 hostages and the remains of around 40 others.

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