Israeli soldiers targeted in deadly attacks in Rafah, Khan Younis: Qassam Brigades

Hamas paramilitary forces in Gaza, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for several attacks against Israeli soldiers in Rafah and Khan Younis amid reports of heavy clashes. 

In a series of updates shared on the messaging app Telegram, the Qassam Brigades said it detonated anti-personnel mines on Israeli forces east of Khan Younis and Rafah, resulting in several soldiers being killed or wounded.

In another update, the brigades said Palestinian fighters engaged in close-quarter combat with at least nine Israeli ground troops in Khan Younis, killing and wounding them.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

However, Israeli news outlets reported that soldiers were wounded in clashes in southern Gaza and were being transferred to Israeli hospitals by helicopter.