21 Israeli soldiers killed in ‘deadliest battle of Gaza war’ as two buildings explode & leave them buried beneath rubble

AT least 21 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the deadliest attack on the force since the war against Hamas began.

The troops were preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in central Gaza on Monday when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a tank close by.

AFP

The blast triggered the explosives to detonate early – leaving them buried under rubble as the building collapsed on top of them.

Emergency crews worked for hours to rescue casualties from the debris, but 21 soldiers could not be saved.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said “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.”

It marks the largest single loss of life for the military since the battle against Hamas began three months ago.