Five Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza as Netanyahu Visits Washington
Five Israeli soldiers were killed during combat operations in the northern Gaza Strip, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces in the ongoing conflict this year, the Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday.
The announcement came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who continues to push for a ceasefire in the 21-month-long war between Israel and Hamas.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu described it as a “difficult morning” for the nation and expressed condolences for the fallen soldiers. “All of Israel bows its head and mourns the fall of our heroic soldiers, who risked their lives in the battle to defeat Hamas and free all our hostages,” he said.
According to the military, the five soldiers — aged between 20 and 28 — died during operations in Beit Hanoun, located in the northern part of Gaza. Two additional soldiers were critically injured and were transported to a hospital for treatment. Their families have been notified.
Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the unit came under attack from three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated in quick succession. A second force sent to assist them also came under heavy fire, leading to more casualties.
Israeli forces are currently surrounding Beit Hanoun “from all directions, above and below ground,” Hagari added, noting that dozens of Hamas fighters have been detected in the area.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In a statement, their spokesperson Abu Obeida said, “The complex Beit Hanoun operation is yet another blow delivered by our valiant fighters.” He described the ongoing campaign as a “war of attrition” aimed at inflicting continued losses on Israeli forces across the Gaza Strip.
One of the soldiers killed, 20-year-old Noam Musgadian, was laid to rest at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem. His brother, Roi, delivered an emotional eulogy: “A huge thank you for almost 20 perfect years. I don’t know how they manage to fit such a big heart into such a small coffin.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the deaths “unbearable,” noting that most of the fallen belonged to the ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion. “The unbearable news of the fall of five heroic sons in Gaza pierces the heart,” Herzog posted on X.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid added his voice, calling for an end to the war. “For the sake of the fighters, their families, the hostages, and the State of Israel — this war must end,” he said.
Since launching the ground offensive on October 27, 2023, the Israeli military reports that 450 of its soldiers have died in combat.
The war began after Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, killing 1,219 people — mostly civilians — according to Israeli figures compiled by AFP.
As fighting intensifies and diplomatic efforts continue, the toll on both sides continues to rise, adding to international calls for a sustainable resolution to the conflict.Five Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza as Netanyahu Visits Washington
