Afghanistan, July 8 -- A roadside bomb in northern Gaza killed five Israeli soldiers and injured 14 during a ground operation near Beit Hanoun, highlighting escalating violence in the region.

The Israeli military has announced that five soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza.

According to an initial military assessment, the bomb had been planted along a route and detonated as infantry soldiers were passing on foot, not inside armored vehicles.

The explosion occurred during a ground operation around 10 p.m. on Monday night, according to Israeli military sources.

Two of the injured soldiers are reported to be in critical condition and receiving emergency medical tre...