Funeral held for IDF soldier killed in explosion in Rafah
- Funeral ceremony for IDF soldier Almog Shalom, one of the victims of an explosion in Rafah.
- Report stating half of Hamas terrorists killed in the conflict, with a significant number still remaining in Rafah.
- Tragic incident in Rafah involving casualties from both sides of the conflict.
19-year-old Almog Shalom was killed in an explosion in Rafah along with three others. The IDF's explosives caused a building to collapse prematurely. Half of all Hamas terrorists in Gaza have been killed during the war, with most remaining in Rafah. Hamas has lost about half its forces in eight months of war and is using hit-and-run tactics to frustrate Israel. Israel estimates it has killed around 15,000 Hamas terrorists. Israel has completed its takeover of the Gaza-Egypt border, cutting off Hamas' smuggling routes. The U.S. opposed Israel's operation in Rafah, but many Palestinians have evacuated. The White House claims Israel is not engaged in a major offensive, despite its goals of taking over Rafah and destroying Hamas. Israel faces challenges in the coming weeks, including booby-trapped buildings and tunnels as Hamas uses hit-and-run tactics.