Six Israeli soldiers killed in separate attacks in Gaza and West Bank

A roadside bomb attack killed four IDF soldiers and wounded three others in southern Gaza’s Rafah area on Thursday morning, the Israeli military announced.

According to an initial IDF probe, the bomb attack took place during operations in Rafah’s Jenina neighbourhood in the morning hours as an armoured bulldozer was clearing a route.

One of two armoured vehicles accompanying the bulldozer moved to the side of the road, where it was struck by an explosive device, according to Israeli media.

The four soldiers are the first casualties to be announced since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza City, in the Strip's north.

Investigations are ongoing to find out what type of explosive was used, how it was activated, and when it was placed there, domestic media reported.

Meanwhile, a gunman first opened fire and then stabbed and killed two soldiers at an Israeli-run border crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank on Thursday, officials said.

The Israeli military said the perpetrator of the "militant attack" had been “neutralised" and that its troops had been deployed to scan the area for further threats.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and identified the shooter as Abdel-Mutalib al-Qaisi, a man in his late 50s who it said had been driving aid trucks bound for Gaza for three months.

The Israeli military also said that a drone had struck in the area of the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have repeatedly fired drones and missiles at Israel, but it is uncertain where the latest UAV came from.