Five Israeli soldiers killed, eight wounded in north Gaza explosion

Five Israeli soldiers were killed and eight others severely injured in an explosion as they traveled in a convoy of vehicles in northern Gaza.

Israeli media reported that the incident occurred on Monday in Beit Hanoun, where a remote-controlled explosive device planted inside one of the convoy's open jeeps detonated.

The slain soldiers were identified as members of the Nahal Brigade's reconnaissance unit.

This marks the second deadly attack on the Nahal Brigade in northern Gaza within a week. Previously, 15 Israeli soldiers were killed, 11 of whom also belonged to the same brigade.

The death toll of Israeli soldiers during their ongoing military offensive in Gaza has risen to at least 405 since the escalation began on October 7, 2023.

Despite the relentless Israeli assault, hopes for a ceasefire have gained momentum. Negotiators are set to meet in Doha today (Tuesday) to review a final draft of the proposed agreement.

US President Joe Biden credited his administration’s efforts for progress in the ceasefire talks. “The deal … would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel, and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to Palestinians who have suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started," Biden said during a speech on Monday.

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), suicide attempts among Israeli soldiers have surged following the military’s assault on Gaza since October 2023, which has escalated into a genocide.

At least “28 soldiers are suspected to have committed suicide since the beginning of Israel’s brutality in Gaza,” the Israeli military said. 

Citing the military statement, it added that athat 17 soldiers have died in "suspected suicides," a figure higher than 2023 when 17 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide, of which seven took their lives following the military offensive on Gaza.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least  46,726 with more than 109,196 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.