Israel Hamas War: 5 IDF soldiers killed in north Gaza; 18 Palestinians dead in Israeli attacks

The attack came at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was negotiating with US President Donald Trump at the White House on a ceasefire plan to stop the Gaza conflict.

Israel: The Israeli army said on Tuesday that five of its soldiers were killed in an attack in Gaza. On the other hand, Palestinian health officials said that 18 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.

The attack came at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was negotiating with US President Donald Trump at the White House on a ceasefire plan to stop the Gaza conflict. Although no major agreement has been announced, there have been signs of progress in the talks. The death of the soldiers may increase the pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire. Surveys in Israel have shown widespread support for ending the war.

An Israeli security official said explosives were planted near the soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanun area of ​​​​northern Gaza. The area was an important place at the beginning of the war, where Israel has fought several times. The enemy also fired on soldiers evacuating wounded soldiers, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The Israeli army said 14 soldiers were injured in the attack, two of whom are in critical condition. With this, the total number of soldiers killed since the war against Hamas began in 2023 has gone up to 888. The soldiers died nearly two weeks after a Palestinian attacker in Gaza killed seven soldiers by planting a bomb near their armored vehicle, the deadliest attack in recent months. Netanyahu expressed condolences over the death of the soldiers in a statement and said he was martyred in the campaign to defeat Hamas and free all the hostages.

On the other hand, health officials at Nasser Hospital said Israeli attacks targeted tents set up for displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing four people. In a separate attack in Khan Younis, four members of a family (mother, father and their two children) were killed.

According to a statement from Ouda Hospital in Nussairat, Israeli attacks in central Gaza targeted a group, where 10 people were killed and 72 others were injured. The Israeli army did not comment immediately on the attacks. Israel always blames Hamas for the harm caused to civilians. It says that extremist Hamas operates in populated areas.

Gaza's health care system has almost collapsed in this conflict. On Tuesday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said that the Al-Zaitoun Medical Clinic in Gaza City has closed due to shelling in its surrounding areas. Due to this, thousands of citizens will have to wait long for medical facilities and vaccination of children. On the other hand, Trump has made it clear that after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the 21-month-long Gaza conflict should be ended soon. Netanyahu's visit to Washington could give new impetus to the ceasefire proposal.