The incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. local time in central Gaza when militants targeted an Israeli tank. Simultaneously, two nearby buildings experienced massive explosions, leading to the tragic loss of soldiers, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday.

The spokesperson explained, "The buildings collapsed as a result of this explosion, while most of the soldiers were inside and around the buildings. The buildings likely exploded from ordnance that our forces set up there to blow up the buildings and the terror infrastructure in the area."

Israeli forces are currently advancing deeper into the southern and central parts of Gaza, encountering intense fighting. Prior to this latest incident, approximately 200 Israeli soldiers had already lost their lives in Gaza, according to military sources.

The international community is exerting pressure on Israel to de-escalate the conflict and seek a diplomatic resolution with Hamas, officially designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. The primary demand is the release of over 100 hostages held by the group.

Despite mounting calls for a ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that the war will persist until Hamas is eradicated, and all captives are freed.

The ongoing conflict stems from Hamas's invasion of southern Israel on October 7, during which the group killed around 1,200 people. In response, Israel's retaliatory bombardment and ground assault have resulted in a tragic toll, with over 25,000 casualties reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.