Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded on Tuesday after their tank was struck by an explosive device in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza, the military said.

Both soldiers were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, and their families have been notified, according to the IDF. The explosion occurred around 12:30 p.m. as troops were conducting operations to clear the area of potential threats.

An initial military investigation found no terrorists present at the time of the blast, suggesting the device had been planted earlier. The IDF said it is examining when and how the explosive was placed in the area.

Following the incident, Israeli forces carried out air and artillery strikes against several targets nearby that “posed a threat to the troops operating in the area,” military officials said.

The Khan Younis region has remained a focal point of ongoing IDF activity as Israeli forces work to dismantle remaining Hamas infrastructure and prevent renewed terrorist operations following the ceasefire.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)