Seven Israeli soldiers were killed Tuesday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when their armored vehicle was struck by an explosive, an Israeli military official said Wednesday.

The announcement comes a day after witnesses and hospitals in Gaza said Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 44.

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Israel’s military spokesperson says that the seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza Tuesday died when a bomb was attached to their tank, setting the armored vehicle aflame.

“Helicopters and rescue forces were sent to the spot. They made attempts to rescue the fighters, but without success,” said Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military’s spokesperson.

“This is a complex event that is still being investigated. When the investigation is completed, we will present it first to the families and then to the public. This our duty.”

Contrary to Israeli claims, Hamas seems to be able to regularly confront Israeli occupation soldiers, in particular in areas that Israel claimed as being “under control”

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