Highlights
- A roadside bomb explosion in northern Gaza killed 4 Israeli soldiers and injured 6 more.
- The blast occurred in Beit Hanoun during Israel’s ground offensive.
- With these deaths, the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the Gaza invasion began has risen to 402.
- Heavy Israeli bombardment has displaced more than 2 million Palestinians, with severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.
- US envoy meets Netanyahu in efforts to push for a ceasefire.
Deadly Blast in Beit Hanoun
On Saturday (11 January 2025), a powerful roadside bomb exploded in Beit Hanoun, located in northern Gaza. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the explosion killed four Israeli soldiers and left six others wounded.
Among the injured, two soldiers are in critical condition.
Identities of the Killed Soldiers
The IDF released the names of the four soldiers who lost their lives in the incident. They are:
- Sergeant Major (Res.) Alexander Fedorenko
- Staff Sergeant Danila Diakov
- Sergeant Yahav Mayan
- Sergeant Eliyav Astucar
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Rising Casualties Since Ground Offensive
Following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, Israel launched a massive air and ground operation in Gaza. Since then, the conflict has intensified.
With this latest incident, the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the ground offensive has risen to 402.
The IDF confirmed that the deaths occurred after troops came under attack from an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in the Beit Hanoun area.
Gaza Under Heavy Attack
Since 7 October 2023, Israel has continued relentless airstrikes and ground raids across the Gaza Strip. The bombardments have destroyed mosques, schools, hospitals, residential areas, and refugee camps.
As a result of the ongoing offensive:
- More than 2 million Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes.
- Around 85% of Gaza’s population is now displaced.
- Shortages of food, clean drinking water, and medicine have left residents in dire humanitarian conditions.
Reports describe Gaza as a landscape of widespread destruction and human suffering.
Expanded Military Operations
The Israeli military has focused its ground operations on northern Gaza, targeting Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and now moving into Beit Hanoun. The IDF says these areas are strongholds of Hamas fighters and weapons storage.
International Diplomacy and Ceasefire Efforts
While fighting continues, efforts for a ceasefire are underway. On Saturday, US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to discuss possible steps toward ending hostilities.
After the meeting, Israeli officials confirmed that a high-level delegation including the head of Mossad would travel to Qatar.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has been mediating talks with Hamas to reach an agreement that includes both a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Israeli authorities said some progress has been made in these discussions.
Source: Dhaka Post
