Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza on Saturday when an explosion occurred in the city of Rafah. According to media reports, the soldiers were in an armoured vehicle in the border city where fierce battles have raged in recent times.
The Israeli army (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said it was likely that a bomb had been planted by the terrorist organisation Hamas or a rocket-propelled grenade.
The death toll in southern Gaza during the ongoing clashes is high. Civilians are affected daily.
However, the attack on Israeli soldiers, the deadliest in months, may also have domestic political consequences in Israel, where there are widespread demands for a ceasefire in Gaza in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Furthermore, there is growing criticism that orthodox Jews are not being conscripted into military service for religious reasons, while orthodox forces in the government are opposing a ceasefire.
The Israeli military launched an offensive in Gaza after Hamas carried out attacks on Israel on 7 October.
