Directive issued following the tragic loss of eight Israeli soldiers in a vehicle explosion during an operation in Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have affirmed their commitment to continuing military operations in Rafah until the Hamas terrorist group is defeated. The explosion in southern Gaza claimed the lives of the soldiers.
Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, IDF Southern Command chief, emphasized the need to persist in the fight against Hamas during a meeting with commanders in Rafah on June 15. He expressed determination to investigate the explosion and continue the offensive.
According to The Times of Israel, Gen. Finkelman stated, “We are here after a painful incident that occurred yesterday. We lost fighters and commanders during the attack. These are our best sons.” The plan is to press forward and keep targeting Hamas’s Rafah Brigade until victory is achieved.
On June 15, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that eight IDF soldiers lost their lives inside an armored vehicle during the operation in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah. The cause of the explosion is believed to be an explosive device planted in the area or anti-tank missile fire.
A team of experts from the Ministry of Defense and the IDF will conduct a thorough examination of the incident and the armored vehicle to determine the root cause. The families of the fallen soldiers have been informed of the tragic news and are receiving support from IDF representatives during this challenging time.
In a humanitarian gesture, the IDF announced a temporary pause in daytime military activities along a designated route in southern Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians. This pause is aimed at alleviating the backlog of aid deliveries and supporting humanitarian efforts on the ground.
The IDF will continue to prioritize humanitarian aid efforts and ensure the safe passage of aid trucks to the Kerem Shalom crossing and the Salah a-Din highway. The crossing has faced challenges since Israeli ground troops entered Rafah in early May.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties, with Hamas’s attack in 2023 leading to a large number of deaths and abductions. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza has further escalated the death toll, including both combatants and civilians.
This article was contributed by Jack Phillips. Please rephrase this sentence.
Source link
