Israel-Hamas latest: IDF soldier killed in Gaza amid failed attempt to rescue hostages
An Israeli solider has been killed with an anti-tank missile in Gaza after a failed attempt to free hostages taken by Hamas
Reuters
An Israeli solider has been killed with an anti-tank missile in Gaza after a failed attempt to free hostages taken by Hamas.
It comes as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched the "heaviest 24 hours" of bombing since the conflict began.
Around 400 Palestinians have been killed during strikes during the offensive, according to local media.
This morning, the Israeli Prime Minister hosted a meeting with his top generals and his war cabinet to assess the mounting conflict.
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Clashes across Israel's border with Lebanon have escalated while Hamas's chief met with Iran's foreign minister - sparking fears the war could spread across the Middle East.
During a raid as part of efforts to rescue more than 200 hostages abducted in the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel's Rear Admiral Hagari confirmed that one soldier was killed and three others injured.
Hamas said it had fought with Israeli forces near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which destroyed a tank and two bulldozers.
The military said: "An IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier was killed, one was moderately injured, and two were lightly injured as a result of an anti-tank missile launched toward an IDF tank and an engineering vehicle."
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Israel is facing heightened pressure to negotiate the release of Hamas's captives, with families pleading with officials to secure their freedom ahead of the imminent ground invasion.
Israeli troops have been carrying out raids across the border, which the military claims are to clear the area and gather intelligence about missing people and captives.
Gaza's Health Ministry said 266 Palestinians, including 117 children, had been killed by Israeli air strikes in the past 24 hours.
Fears of a further war grew as Israeli warplanes struck targets across Gaza, two airports in Syria and a mosque in the occupied West Bank allegedly used by terrorists.
Israeli troops have been carrying out raids across the border, which the military claim are to clear the area and gather intelligence about missing people and captives
MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have also reportedly spoken about stopping Israel's "brutal crimes".
Netanyahu told troops in northern Israel that if Hezbollah launches a war, "it will make the mistake of its life".
He said: "We will cripple it with a force it cannot even imagine, and the consequences for it and the Lebanese state will be devastating."