Deadliest day for Israeli forces sees 24 soldiers killed as pressure grows

Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza on Monday, by far the biggest single-day Israeli death toll in the three-month war against Hamas, as talks about a ceasefire intensified and Palestinian casualties continued to climb.

- Jason Burke

The deaths came amid fierce fighting around the southern city of Khan Younis, with dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded. The Israeli casualties are likely to increase domestic pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu over his leadership and handling of the war effort.

An Israeli military spokesperson said 21 soldiers were killed in Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza when two buildings they had mined for demolition collapsed after militants fired grenades at a nearby tank. Reports in local media said explosives set by the soldiers detonated prematurely.

Earlier, the military said three soldiers were killed in a separate attack in southern Gaza. A total of 221 soldiers have been killed in the offensive, which some analysts in Israel have said could continue for many months, even into next year.

The high toll on Israeli troops comes at a time when Israel is beginning to see stirrings of discontent with Netanyahu’s war strategy, which aims to “crush” Hamas but which has not involved detailed discussion of what would come next for Gaza.

Israel’s forces have encircled Khan Younis, where it believes Hamas leaders are sheltering in tunnels. The recent Israeli advances have taken them close to areas sheltering a million or more Palestinians forced out of other parts of the territory by fighting or by the destruction of their homes and all essential infrastructure.

Aid officials say Israeli blockades and the storming of hospitals in Khan Younis in the last 48 hours have left the wounded and dead beyond the reach of rescuers .