Gaza Strip: In one of the deadliest attacks since hostilities resumed between Israel and Hamas, seven Israeli soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed. The troops, members of a combat engineering battalion, were travelling in an armoured vehicle when an explosive device detonated, triggering a fire that led to their deaths.

The incident occurred in Khan Younis and was claimed by Hamas’ military wing, which stated that its fighters had planted the bomb. It also said they fired an anti-tank missile at a second vehicle that came to assist. This marked the Israeli military’s deadliest day in Gaza since March 2025, when a brief ceasefire was broken.

Among the dead were a lieutenant, three staff sergeants, and three sergeants. The attack is likely to deepen growing domestic unrest and international scrutiny of the ongoing war. Even within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, dissent is emerging. Ultra-Orthodox MP Moshe Gafne questioned the rationale behind continued fighting, stating: “I still don’t understand why we are fighting there. To what end?”

Over 860 Israeli soldiers have died in the conflict, more than 400 of them in Gaza operations alone.

While Netanyahu’s approval ratings plummeted after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken, his recent military strike on Iran temporarily boosted his standing. However, with attention returning to Gaza after a US-brokered ceasefire with Iran, criticism is growing again.

During Israel's 12-day operation against Iran, the Israeli Defence Forces reportedly killed more than 800 Palestinians in Gaza. On Wednesday alone, at least 30 Palestinians were killed, including a journalist.

The Gaza war has also strained Israel’s international relations. Despite mounting pressure for a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages—20 alive and 30 deceased held by Hamas—Netanyahu remains firm. He demands Hamas release all hostages, disarm, and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, in turn, says it will only release hostages if Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal. Disarmament remains off the table.

As of now, over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Much of the Gaza Strip lies in ruins, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.