Seven Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza Blast as Dozens Reported Dead in New Wave of Violence

Seven Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza on Tuesday when a bomb was attached to their armored vehicle, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces in recent months, the Associated Press reports.

The attack, carried out in Khan Younis, drew renewed national attention to the ongoing conflict with Hamas, following a brief shift in focus during Israel’s recent confrontation with Iran.

According to Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the army’s chief spokesperson, rescue efforts were launched immediately but were unsuccessful. Another Israeli soldier was seriously wounded in a separate incident in the same area. Hamas claimed responsibility for an ambush against Israeli troops sheltering in a residential building.

The Israeli military death toll from the conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, now exceeds 860, including more than 400 fatalities in Gaza operations. That initial Hamas-led assault killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. An estimated 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.

Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials report that Israeli airstrikes and operations killed 79 people across Gaza in the past day alone. This includes 33 individuals reportedly shot while trying to access humanitarian aid. Witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly fired on civilians approaching food distribution sites, a claim the Israeli military disputes, stating that only warning shots were fired in response to perceived threats.

Gaza’s health authorities say the death toll from the war has now surpassed 56,000, with more than half believed to be women and children. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel asserts that it targets Hamas fighters and holds the militant group responsible for civilian casualties due to its operations in densely populated areas. Israel estimates it has killed over 20,000 Hamas members but has not released supporting evidence. Hamas has not disclosed its own casualty numbers.

Many Palestinians have voiced frustration over the protracted nature of the war, especially in comparison to the relatively short duration of Israel’s recent conflict with Iran, which ended in a ceasefire after 12 days.

“I live in a tent, and now my tent is gone too,” said Um Zidan, a displaced resident from northern Gaza. “The war between Israel and Iran ended in less than two weeks, and we’ve been dying for two years.”

US President Donald Trump, speaking at the NATO summit, said there had been “great progress” in ceasefire negotiations related to Gaza, though he did not provide specifics. He credited US efforts during the Israel-Iran confrontation for contributing to the broader de-escalation.

In a separate development, Israeli forces shot and killed a 66-year-old Palestinian woman during a raid in east Jerusalem’s Shuafat refugee camp. Her husband, Joudah Al-Obeidi, said she was standing on the roof of their home when she was hit by a bullet to the head. Israeli police confirmed an operation in the area but said they were responding to rioters throwing heavy objects at security forces, one of whom was injured. Authorities said they are investigating the woman’s death.

The neighborhood is located in east Jerusalem, a territory Israel captured during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed—an action not recognized by the international community. Palestinians regard east Jerusalem as the future capital of a hoped-for independent state.