Hamas fighters ambushed and killed eight Israeli soldiers traveling in military vehicles in Rafah, utilizing rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and subsequently attacking a support force sent to assist.

The incident on Saturday represents one of the gravest losses for Israeli forces in Gaza in recent months, as their ground offensive in the southern region intensifies.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's militant wing, stated its operatives "executed a complex ambush against enemy vehicles" in the Tal as-Sultan district of Rafah.

According to the group, Yassin-105 RPGs were fired at a D9 military bulldozer, resulting in fatalities and injuries among Israeli soldiers. A rescue vehicle dispatched later was also assaulted, leading to its destruction and the deaths of its occupants.

Israel's military confirmed the loss of eight soldiers during operations in southern Gaza but did not provide further details. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced an inquiry into the attack's specifics.

"We are committed to disarming the militants to prevent further attacks on civilians as we witnessed on October 7. Today, we are reminded of the high cost of this conflict, with soldiers ready to lay down their lives for Israel's defense," Hagari stated on television.

Since the ground invasion began on October 27, at least 307 Israeli soldiers have perished, with thousands injured. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 37,296 Palestinians, predominantly women, children, and the elderly, as reported by Gaza's health ministry.

Saturday's losses could intensify demands for a ceasefire and increase discontent within Israel. In January, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed in a single attack by Palestinian fighters in central Gaza.

Rafah operation escalates

Despite widespread international condemnation, Israeli troops continue to push into and encircle Rafah, where at least 19 Palestinians were killed on Saturday. Many civilians in the city remain trapped, lacking essential supplies like food, water, and medicine.

Following the ambush, air, sea, and artillery strikes on the Tal as-Sultan region were intensified.

Mohamed Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, commented that the recent attack indicates Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas remains unfulfilled after eight months of fighting.

"Palestinian resistance has been notably resilient," Elmasry told Al Jazeera, citing reports from US intelligence officials that approximately 70 percent of Hamas’s fighters are still active.

"Additionally, Hamas has successfully recruited thousands of new members, indicating no manpower shortages," he added.

Gideon Levy, a columnist with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, remarked that the loss of eight soldiers is a significant blow to Israeli society.

"There is growing alarm within Israel, questioning the purpose and duration of this conflict. This could evolve into a protracted war of attrition, where despite Israel’s military strength, Hamas can continually strike back, leading to endless retaliations with no resolution. The notion of a ‘total victory’ as stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu seems increasingly unattainable," Levy explained to Al Jazeera.

Although there is mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, reaching an agreement to end the fighting remains elusive.

Since a weeklong truce in November that saw over 100 Israelis released, further attempts to negotiate a ceasefire have faltered. Hamas insists on a permanent end to the conflict and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which Netanyahu has refused, stating the invasion will not cease until Hamas is "eradicated".

Over 100 captives are believed to still be held in Gaza, though many may have died. The al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, announced that Israel could only reclaim its captured citizens if it ends the war and withdraws from the besieged enclave.