Monday marked the deadliest day for Israeli forces in Gaza, as 24 soldiers were killed, making it the highest casualty toll since the initiation of their ground operation. Among the casualties were 21 reservists who were killed in an explosion.

Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), indicated that a rocket-propelled grenade, fired by Palestinian armed fighters, struck a tank near two buildings occupied by the soldiers. Hagari further suggested that the buildings likely exploded due to mines intentionally placed by Israeli forces for demolition purposes.