Deadly Gaza incident traced to RPGs causing buildings to collapse on soldiers

The IDF said Tuesday that 21 soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip in one of the deadliest attacks for Israeli soldiers of the 3-month-old war against the terrorist Hamas group. Only 10 names were released as of Tuesday morning.

The soldiers were preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in central Gaza on Monday when a terrorist fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a tank nearby. The blast triggered the explosives, causing the buildings to collapse on the soldiers inside.

The IDF said the following in the wake of the tragedy: "Twenty-one IDF soldiers were killed in action yesterday (Monday) as they continued to operate against Hamas centers of gravity in southern Gaza. Based on the information available at this stage, the troops were operating in eastern Gaza near Khan Younis. The forces were operating to remove structures and terrorist infrastructure that posed a threat to the security of Israeli communities. During the activity to remove the threat, at approximately 16:00 (IST), it appears that an RPG missile was fired by Hamas terrorists toward a tank that was securing the force. Simultaneously, there was an explosion which resulted in the collapse of 2 two-story structures while many troops were either inside or nearby. Following the explosion, commanders operating in the field, along with rescue teams that arrived at the scene, have been executing a very complex operation to evacuate the casualties and locate the injured."

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead until Israel crushes the ruling Hamas terrorist group and wins the freedom of over 100 hostages held captive in Gaza. Israelis are increasingly divided on the question of whether it's possible to do either.

Video: IDF spokesperson Hagari announces death of 21 soldiers / Credit: IDF Spokesperson

Families of the hostages and many of their supporters have called for Israel to reach a cease-fire deal, saying that time is running out to bring the hostages home alive. On Monday, dozens of hostages' relatives stormed a parliamentary committee meeting, demanding a deal to win their loved ones' release.

Monday's heavy death toll could add new momentum to calls for Israel to pause the offensive or even halt it altogether. Large numbers of Israeli casualties have put pressure on Israel's government to halt past military operations.

Israel launched the offensive after Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack that killed over 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others.

A total of 21 victims are named below:

Sergeant Major (res.) Itamar Tal, 32 years old, from Kibbutz Mesilot, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Adam Bismut, 35 years old, from Karnei Shomron, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Shay Biton Hayun, 40 years old, from Zichron Ya'akov, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Zegeye Daniel Kasau, 38 years old, from Yokne'am Illit, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Israel Socol, 24 years old, from Karnei Shomron, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Ahmad Abu Latif, 26 years old, from Rahat, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Captain (res.) Nir Binyamin, from Givatayim, 29 years old, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Matan Lazar, 32 years old, from Haifa, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Master Sergeant (res.) Elkana Vizel, from Bnei Dekalim, 35 years old, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Sagi Idan, from Rosh Ha'Ayin, 24 years old, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Mark Kononovich, from Herzliya, 35 years old, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Captain (res.) Ariel Mordechay Wollfstal, from Elazar, 28 years old, was a fighter in Battalion 9206, Brigade 205, who was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Rafael Elias Mosheyoff, 33 years old, from Pardes Hanna-Karkur, was a fighter in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Barak Haim ben Valid, 33 years old, from Rishon LeZion, was a squad commander in Battalion 6261, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Hadar Kapeluk, 23 years old, from Mevo Beitar, was a squad commander in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant Major (res.) Sergey Gontmaherr, 37 years old, from Ramat Gan, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Elkana Yehuda, 25 years old, from Kiryat Arba, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Master Sergeant (res.) Yoav Levi, 29 years old, from Yehud-Monosson, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Nicholas Berger, 22 years old, from Jerusalem, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Cydrick Garin, 23 years old, from Tel Aviv-Yafo, was a fighter in Battalion 8208, Brigade 261, who was killed in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Yoval Lopez, 27 years old, from Alon Shvut, was a fighter in Battalion 9206, Brigade 205, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.