As twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in Israel's worst day of losses in Gaza, the Iranian media attempted to frame it as a victory for Hamas.

In spite of the Israeli military announcing the death of 24 soldiers, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency wildly inflated the numbers, claiming 50 soldiers had been killed, calling it “the biggest blow to Israel” since the October 7 attack in which 1,200 mostly civilians were murdered in Israel and a further 250 or more taken hostage.

Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said 21 soldiers were killed when two buildings they had mined for demolition exploded after militants fired at a nearby tank. Earlier in the day, three soldiers were reportedly killed in a separate attack in southern Gaza.

"Yesterday we experienced one of our most difficult days since the war erupted," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory."

The deaths came as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) attacked the western part of Khan Younis, the main city in the south of the enclave which is sheltering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have fled areas to the north. Israel says the city is now the principal base of Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza and has significant backing from Tehran.

Gazans say the advancing Israeli forces have since Monday blockaded and stormed hospitals in the crowded city, leaving the wounded and dead beyond the reach of rescuers.

Israel says Hamas fighters operate in and around hospitals, making them legitimate targets. Hospital staff and Hamas deny this.