What's happened
Five Israeli soldiers were killed by friendly fire in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Wednesday evening. The soldiers, part of the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade, were mistakenly targeted by two Israeli tanks. The incident, which occurred during intense fighting with Hamas militants, is currently under review by the Israeli military. This marks one of the deadliest friendly fire incidents since the conflict began in October, with a total of 278 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza to date.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, as reported by the New York Times, the incident involved two tanks firing at a building in the Jabalia refugee camp, mistaking it for an enemy position. The BBC News corroborates this, adding that the troops had recently returned to the area after previously pulling out. The Telegraph provides additional context, noting that the tanks fired two shells at a house used by the battalion's deputy commander. Business Insider UK highlights the increasing frequency of friendly fire incidents in the ongoing conflict.
How we got here
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing since October, with Israeli forces engaging in intense battles against Hamas militants. The Jabalia refugee camp, located in northern Gaza, has been a focal point of these clashes. Israeli troops had initially withdrawn from the area but returned recently due to reports of Hamas regrouping. Friendly fire incidents, where soldiers are mistakenly targeted by their own forces, have been a recurring issue, with the military acknowledging that a significant portion of casualties have resulted from such accidents.
Go deeper
- What measures are being taken to prevent future friendly fire incidents?
- How has the Israeli military responded to this incident?
- What is the current situation in the Jabalia refugee camp?
Common question
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