EIGHT ISRAELI SOLDIERS KILLED IN EXPLOSION DEEP INSIDE RAFAH

• The soldiers were killed around 5am as their vehicle was on the move in Rafah

Eight Israeli soldiers have been killed in an explosion deep inside Rafah after Hamas fighters allegedly ambushed the convoy. 

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said their troops were killed in an explosion around 5am as their vehicle was on the move in a convoy with at least five other vehicles in the northwest of the city. 

Hamas said its fighters had ambushed the armoured personnel carrier and killed several Israeli soldiers in western Rafah. 

It was not immediately clear whether the explosion was caused by a bomb planted ahead of time or by Hamas placing one directly under the vehicle, according to the Times of Israel.

The IDF is reportedly investigating the possibility that explosives stored on the outside of the vehicle could have contributed to the massive blast. No gunfire was reported.

The deaths will likely fuel calls for a cease-fire and heighten Israeli public anger over ultra-Orthodox exemptions from the military. 

Last month, Israel's Supreme Court ordered an end to government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who don't serve in the army. 

A new draft law hasn't been passed, but the coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week voted in favour of extending exemptions for religious men. 

Although the vote was only procedural, it caused an uproar by being approved during a war in which hundreds of soldiers have died and many others remain inside Gaza or on the front lines against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defence Minister and member of the country's War Cabinet, has insisted that all sectors of Israeli society should contribute equally during its war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's coalition government contains a powerful bloc of ultra-Orthodox parties that have been longtime partners of Netanyahu. 

If these parties leave the government, the country would be forced into new elections, with Netanyahu trailing significantly in the polls amid the war.

In Tel Aviv, anti-government protests have been ongoing for months, with many demonstrators calling for the immediate return of the hostages, along with Netanyahu's resignation.

Israel's bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials, who don't give the breakdown of civilians and fighters. 

The war has also driven about 80 per cent of the population of 2.3million from their homes, and Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting have hindered efforts to bring in humanitarian aid, fuelling widespread hunger.

Israel launched its campaign after Hamas and other militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. 

More than 100 hostages were released during a week-long cease-fire last year in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. 

Hamas is believed to be holding around 80 hostages and the remains of another 40.

Months of cease-fire negotiations have failed to find common ground between Israeli and Hamas. 

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Hamas proposed changes to a US-backed plan, some of which he said were "workable" and some not.

Hamas has continually called for a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal that would see the hostages released. 

While the proposal announced by US President Joe Biden includes these two provisions, Hamas has expressed concern about whether Israel will commit to them.

Violence has flared in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war erupted. On Saturday, a 16-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces near the northern city of Nablus, the Ramallah-based Health Ministry said. 

The Israeli army didn't immediately respond to request for comment about the shooting.

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2024-06-15T18:41:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd