The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday said four of its soldiers were killed in an attack by Hamas in northern Gaza City. The four IDF soldiers from the Armored Corps, Staff-Sergeant Uri Lamed, Sergeant Gadi Cotal, and Sergeant Amit Arye Regev, along with an unnamed soldier, were killed after Hamas launched an attack on an army encampment in the Kafr Jabalia area on Monday morning. Attack carried out by 3-4 Hamas gunmen According to a preliminary IDF probe, three or four Hamas operatives carried out the attack shortly after troops had returned to the outpost following an overnight activity. The operatives reached a tank and opened fire at the commander, who had his head outside the armored vehicle’s open hatch. The gunmen then hurled an explosive device inside the tank, leading to the deaths of the four soldiers, The Times of Israel, citing the IDF's initial investigation, reported. During subsequent exchanges of fire with the terrorists, a soldier from the Nahal Brigade was moderately wounded. Two terrorists were also hit during the exchange of fire with IDF soldiers. More than 450 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza More than 450 Israeli troops have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began in 2023. The loss of more soldiers could further undermine support for the war in Israel, where mass protests have been held in recent weeks demanding a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that would return the hostages. Israel destroys another high-rise in Gaza City Meanwhile, Israel continued its attack in Gaza City on Monday, where it struck and destroyed another high-rise building after warning residents to evacuate, as part of an offensive aimed at taking over the largest Palestinian city. The military said it was targeting Hamas observation posts and bombs placed around the 12-story office building. Over several days, Israel has destroyed multiple high-rise buildings in Gaza City, accusing Hamas of putting surveillance infrastructure in them. It has ordered people to flee ahead of its ground offensive into the city of some 1 million residents, which experts say is experiencing famine.
