21 soldiers are killed in the deadliest single attack on Israeli forces since the war in Gaza began

Twenty-one soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip in the deadliest attack on Israel’s forces since the Oct. 7 Hamas raid that triggered the war. Hours later, the military announced that ground forces have encircled the southern city of Khan Younis. Recently, dozens of Palestinians have been killed and wounded in heavy fighting there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the soldiers Tuesday but vowed to press ahead with the offensive until “absolute victory” over Hamas. An Egyptian official says Israel has proposed a two-month cease-fire with Hamas to secure the release of more hostages, but the militant group rejected the offer. Hamas says it won't release any more captives until Israel ends its offensive.