21 soldiers slain, Israel wakes up to worst loss of IDF lives in war on Hamas in Gaza; PM says 'won't stop'

“Painfully difficult morning” was the refrain on Tuesday as Israel woke up to the worst loss of lives on IDF side in the raging war on Hamas in Gaza: 21 soldiers killed in one go.

Details still foggy, reasons still being probed. The loss of this magnitude is significant since Israel has always kept the lives of its soldiers before anything else, even in combat.

What happened?

A sketchy outline of what happened suggests that IDF soldiers were operating 600-mts from the border in the Kissufim kibbutz, clearing and razing Hamas buildings when tragedy struck.

According to reports, the site that looked like the wake of a devastating earthquake became the graveyard of 21 Israeli bravehearts when explosion ripped two buildings that were being cleared even as the soldiers were inside.

The prelude was an RPG attack on a tank manning the site.

Official version

“As far as we know, at around 4 pm, an RPG was fired by terrorists at a tank securing the forces, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred at two two-story buildings. The buildings collapsed due to this explosion, while most of the forces were inside and near them,” said IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in an official statement.

The explosions that razed the two buildings upon the forces, most likely, were caused by IDF’s own ordnance rigged to blow up the structures.

Hagari added that the actual reason for the detonation was under investigation.

‘Difficult morning…will not stop’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the loss. In a statement he said, “I know that for these families, their lives will be changed forever.”

“The IDF has launched an investigation into the disaster. We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our warriors. In the name of our heroes, for our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

Israel President Isaac Herzog wrote on X: “An unbearably difficult morning, in which more and more names of the best of our sons are added to the gravestones of heroes, when there is no war that is more just. The intense battles are taking place in an extremely challenging space, and we send strength to the soldiers of the IDF and the security forces, who are working with endless determination to realize the goals of the fighting.”

“On behalf of the entire nation, I console the families and pray for the healing of the wounded,” he wrote, adding, “Even on this sad and difficult morning, we are strong and remember that together we will win.”

Calling it a “difficult and painful morning”, Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, “Our hearts are with the dear families in their most difficult time. This is a war that will determine the future of Israel for decades to come – the fall of the soldiers compels us to achieve the goals of the fighting,” Gallant added.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also woke up to “an unbearably difficult morning”. “Heroes of Israel, lovers of the land, its defenders. I send a hug to the families of the fighters. The entire nation of Israel is with you in your difficult time. May their memories be a blessing,” he posted on X.

Former IDF chief and currently serving on the war cabinet, Benny Gantz wrote on X: “On this difficult morning, we must be united, remember the heavy price we are forced to pay for such a just war and the lofty goal for which our heroes fell – to secure our future, to return our daughters and sons, and to take care of Israel forever.”