PM mourns deaths of soldiers in Gaza: ‘We must learn the necessary lessons’

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2024. (Yariv Katz/Flash90/pool)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2024. (Yariv Katz/Flash90/pool)

Israel will “will not stop fighting until absolute victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says following the deaths of 21 Israel Defense Forces soldiers in Gaza yesterday.

The prime minister says in a statement that he that he mourns their passing and wishes “to strengthen the dear families of our heroic warriors who fell on the battlefield. I know that for these families, their lives will be changed forever.”

“The IDF has launched an investigation into the disaster. We must learn the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our warriors,” he continues. “In the name of our heroes, for our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

Twenty-one soldiers were killed in central Gaza yesterday when two buildings collapsed following a large blast and Hamas operatives fired an RPG at a tank.

In addition, the deaths of three officers in fighting were previously announced.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.