Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza as ceasefire talks grind on

Five Israeli soldiers died in combat in northern Gaza on Tuesday, as the war in the enclave entered its 22nd month. Four of the soldiers were part of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, while the other was with the Northern Brigade, Israel’s military said. Israeli media said the soldiers were on patrol when explosive devices were detonated against them. The reports said militants also opened fire on reinforcements sent to evacuate the dead and wounded. Two other soldiers were severely wounded in the same incident. They were “evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment and their families have been notified”, the military said.