Palestinian Resistance fighters inflicted a major blow on Israeli occupation forces in southern Gaza on Tuesday, killing five Israeli soldiers and injuring 17 others, several critically, in a sophisticated double ambush in the city of Khan Younis.

Israeli media confirmed the casualties, describing the ambush as “difficult to comprehend” due to the involvement of troops from two separate military units. The incident reportedly left several other soldiers unaccounted for, with the Israeli military fearing further losses on the battlefield. Wounded soldiers were evacuated by military helicopters to Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv.

The Resistance reportedly targeted a Puma-type armored personnel carrier, setting it ablaze with soldiers trapped inside. Cries of the wounded could be heard in video footage released by Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, captured just moments before a second ambush struck the Israeli rescue team attempting to extract the injured.

The al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the ambushes, detailing the use of al-Yassin 105 shells, RPGs, and Shawaz explosive devices in a series of well-coordinated attacks on Israeli forces who had taken shelter inside residential buildings in the area. The Resistance also reported a successful strike on a Merkava tank, causing additional casualties.

This operation comes amid relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread devastation across the Strip. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 79 Palestinians were martyred in the past 24 hours alone, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate under siege and bombardment.

Palestinian factions hailed the ambush as a legitimate act of self-defense and resistance against the occupying force, emphasizing that such operations will continue as long as Israel wages war on Gaza’s civilian population.

The ambush marks one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces in recent weeks and highlights the tactical resilience of Palestinian Resistance fighters operating under extreme conditions. (ILKHA)