Hamas kills Israeli soldier during raid to free hostages, as Rishi Sunak calls for release of remaining 200 captives

23 October 2023, 06:31

Israel continues to bombard Gaza
Israel continues to bombard Gaza. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Hamas has killed an IDF soldier taking part in a raid to free hostages in Gaza, as the Israeli army began its biggest bombardment of the territory since the conflict began.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Benjamin Netanyahu brought together his war Cabinet to assess the state of the conflict, as Israel continues to hold Gaza under total siege.

Meanwhile Hamas met with the foreign minister of Iran and Israel continued to clash with Lebanon on its northern border, sparking fresh fears the conflict could spread into a wider regional war.

The IDF also hit Syrian airports with airstrikes again.

Israel's General Hagari confirmed that one soldier had been killed and three had been injured during the raid in the Khan Younis city, in southern Gaza.

Read more: Israel pummels Gaza and bombs mosque in the West Bank as Iran threatens that the Middle East 'will go out of control'

Read more: Israeli tank accidentally fires 'at Egyptian position' as IDF expresses 'sorrow' after border guards injured in blast

Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza
Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza. Picture: Getty

The soldiers were trying to rescue some of the roughly-200 hostages taken by Hamas during its attacks on October 7.

Hamas said that it had fought with Israel in the south of the territory, destroying a tank and two bulldozers.

Israel confirmed the death and the three injuries from an anti-tank missile.

"An IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier was killed, one was moderately injured, and two were lightly injured as a result of an anti-tank missile launched toward an IDF tank and an engineering vehicle," the army said.

Israel has repeatedly hinted at a ground invasion that will see its troop enter the dense urban environment, which sits on top of a miles-long underground tunnel system dubbed the "Gaza metro".

Israeli soldiers gather to patrol Kibbutz Beeri along the border with the Gaza Strip
Israeli soldiers gather to patrol Kibbutz Beeri along the border with the Gaza Strip. Picture: Getty

The Israeli Defence Forces also said it had hit an “Egyptian position near the border” in a statement on Sunday, and expressed sorrow.

Meanwhile Palestinian media said that Israeli air strikes had killed more than 400 people, which they called the 'heaviest bombardment' since the October 7 Hamas attack.

Dozens were killed in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to local officials. These figures have not been verified independently.

It comes as world leaders including Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden ramp up diplomatic efforts to prevent the war triggering wider bloodshed across the Middle East.

Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta speaks to Sangita Myska from Gaza

The Prime Minister and US president, along with the leaders of France, German, Italy and Canada, called for Israel to respect international humanitarian law, demanded the release of the hostages held by Hamas and pushed for aid for Gaza.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

"They welcomed the release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Jess Phillips on LBC

Victims deserve credit for grooming gangs national inquiry - not Elon Musk, says Labour minister

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes  - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' during live broadcast.

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' live on air

The Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England, where Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will visit on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024 following riots

Pregnant teenager facing jail term following role in Rotherham riots targeting migrant hotel

Hamilton started the race in fifth and looked to be on course for a positive 70 laps - before his Grand Prix was impacted in the initial stages.

Lewis Hamilton is left 'devastated' after hitting a furry animal at 100mph in F1's Canadian Grand Prix

Gareth Bale is reportedly being lined up to front a takeover of League One side Plymouth

Gareth Bale in talks to front shock US takeover of League One club

DJ John Reid has died suddenly aged 61

Top DJ dies suddenly aged 61 as music stars pay tribute

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media at the G7 summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Monday, June 16, 2025.

'Israel has right to defend itself - and Iran cannot have nuclear weapons', say world leaders at G7 summit in Canada

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of 92-year-old Ryland Headley appearing via video link at Bristol Magistrates' Court, charged with the rape and murder of widow Louisa Dunne in Bristol in 1967.

Man, 92, goes on trial for the rape and murder of a pensioner in 1967

.

Scottish school apologises after calling Union Flag 'offensive or sectarian' in letter to parents

Richard Oladi, who works in NHS primary care alongside his mother, is currently stuck in Tehran.

'Desperately frightened' NHS worker describes being trapped in Tehran while on a family visit with his mother

A crane retrieves part of the fuselage of the Air India Boeing 787 on June 14, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India.

Families of British Air India crash victims 'feel utterly abandoned' as they blast UK government's response

Chris Brown is back on stage after being bailed

Where Chris Brown will play on Breezy Bowl XX world tour after bail

Viswash Kumar Ramesh (circled) walking out of the wreckage while clutching his phone

New video shows sole survivor of Air India disaster walking away from fireball wreck while on his phone

MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Patrick Spencer, outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with two counts of sexual assault, allegedly carried out at Groucho club, central London, in August 2023

MP pleads not guilty to sexual assault at London's Groucho club

The pair attended Lido festival together

Lily Allen shares 'first date' with Happy Valley star James Norton at East London festival

'Exceptionally cruel' nursery worker, 22, who 'kicked boy in the face' guilty of attacking 21 toddlers

'Exceptionally cruel' nursery worker, 22, who 'kicked boy in the face' guilty of attacking 21 toddlers