Israeli army reports death of officer, 6 soldiers in southern Gaza clashes

CAIRO – 26 June 2025: The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that an officer and six soldiers were killed in ambushes set by Palestinian factions in southern Gaza.

Israeli media reported that on Tuesday, three soldiers were killed and seven others injured, some seriously, in two separate ambushes targeting Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. The official toll was updated on Wednesday to reflect a total of seven fatalities.

According to reports, Palestinian factions set a trap for an Israeli military unit, followed by another ambush targeting a rescue unit that attempted to intervene.

Earlier, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for a complex ambush aimed at an Israeli force that had fortified itself inside a house in Khan Younis.

They stated that they used a Yassin 105 missile and an RBG rocket, causing casualties among Israeli soldiers.

In a statement released late Tuesday night, they confirmed that the building was subsequently targeted with automatic weapons.

Ambushes by the Palestinian factions in Gaza continue as the Israeli forces have continued the war in Gaza since 7 October 2023, killing over 56,000 Palestinians and injuring over 131,800 more, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Israeli forces have failed to achieve the war objectives, which include the return of all Israeli captives and eliminating the military and governing capabilities of Hamas.

Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli captives it took during the 7 October attacks and has affirmed that they can only be released via negotiations.