The Israeli Occupation army has announced the findings of a preliminary investigation into the explosion of a Panther troop carrier, which was ambushed by the Al-Qassam Brigades on Saturday in Rafah.

Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation revealed that the initial investigation concluded that the armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank missile. The missile penetrated the compartment containing explosives and mines, resulting in explosions that left no chance for the soldiers inside to survive.

The investigation also revealed that the anti-tank missile defense system on the armored vehicle failed to activate when it was targeted in Rafah.

On Saturday, the Israeli Occupation army confirmed the deaths of eight soldiers when a military vehicle exploded in Rafah, after being struck by a device set by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Among the dead was a deputy company commander in the 601st Engineering Brigade. Later, it was reported that another soldier succumbed to his injuries from the ambush, raising the death toll to nine.

The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for executing a complex ambush against occupation vehicles in the Saudi neighborhood in Tal al-Sultan, west of Rafah. They reported targeting a D9 military bulldozer with an Al-Yassin 105 shell, causing it to ignite and resulting in casualties among the bulldozer crew.

The brigades further stated that they targeted a "Panther" troop carrier with an Al-Yassin 105 missile upon the arrival of rescue forces, leading to its destruction and the death of all its occupants.

Earlier reports from the Hebrew website Hadashot Bazman indicated that eight soldiers and officers were killed in Gaza early Saturday morning after an anti-tank missile hit an armored vehicle. The vehicle reportedly exploded immediately, becoming completely engulfed in flames, with all eight soldiers dying instantly and burning inside the vehicle.