260 wounded soldiers evacuated from Gaza since ground assault began: Israeli army

By Abdel Ra'ouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) — About 260 wounded Israeli soldiers have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip in about 150 air and ground rescue operations, the Israeli army announced Friday

"Since the beginning of the war, the 669 Unit, along with other units, has operated in Gaza under constant fire, rescuing and treating Israeli Defense Forces soldiers," the army said in a statement.

"So far, they have carried out 150 ground and rescue operations, evacuating 260 wounded soldiers to hospitals (in Israel)," it added.

The army announced the death of 25 soldiers since the start of the Israeli ground assault on the Gaza Strip about a week ago.

It has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi