Preliminary investigation: What we know so far about the tragic loss of 21 IDF soldiers in Gaza

According to a report by Doron Kadosh which aired on Army Radio late Tuesday afternoon, the IDF has conducted a preliminary investigation of the incident in which 21 IDF soldiers were killed during combat in the Gaza Strip. 

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the scene of the explosion and the collapse of the buildings in the southern Gaza Strip as part of the preliminary investigation.

The investigation shows that the buildings that the IDF troops intended to destroy were located in an open area, near plantations where the terrorists were apparently hiding. The plantations are shown to be only tens of meters away from the building where the soldiers were located.

The terrorists allegedly launched an RPG missile at the building, which seemingly triggered explosives that the Israeli soldiers were placing inside, resulting in the collapse of two neighboring structures. About 10 explosive charges were activated in each of the two buildings, claimed the lives of 17 soldiers during the explosion.

An IDF tank near the buildings reportedly recognized the terrorist squad and prepared to fire on them. However, before the tank could shoot, the terrorists fired another RPG at the tank, killing two additional fighters. 

According to the IDF’s investigation, the terrorist squad was not eliminated, and it is not known whether they used a tunnel shaft to access the location. In addition, the IDF has not yet discovered any underground tunnels or shafts in that area. 

Israel's Army Radio reported that the IDF investigation will continue and address two issues raised by the investigation:

1. The issue of protecting the buildings where fighters are operating: Was there enough security for the soldiers during the activity? Was there a way to increase the security perimeter to prevent the approach of a squad of armed terrorists to such a short distance from the buildings?

2. The large number of forces inside the buildings while the charges were being readied for demolition. It is not yet clear why there were 17 fighters in the building while the charges were being prepared. It is unknown known if the soldiers were in the building to seek protection, despite the risk. 

After returning from the preliminary investigation, Halevi released a statement.

"The State of Israel woke up this morning to a difficult and painful announcement: 21 dead," Halevi said. "The best sons of this country, who volunteered to defend their homes and paid the highest price. We share in their families' grief for their heavy loss and know that the pain is unbearable."

Halevi promised that the IDF would "learn the lessons during the fighting, so that such an incident will not happen again."

The disaster is the biggest casualty event for the IDF since the start of the ground campaign in late October.