310 Israeli soldiers killed since beginning of conflict on Oct. 7

By Abdelraouf Arna'out

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army on Friday said the Israeli military death toll rose to 310 since the fighting broke out on Oct. 7 with Palestinian groups in Gaza.

At a press conference, Daniel Hagari, an army spokesperson, said the families of the soldiers have been informed about the death of their relatives.

He said 233 Israeli hostages are held by the Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza, raising the number from 228 announced in previous statements.

The Israeli military spokesperson added that numbers are not yet final as the military continues to investigate new information.

Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas group, said in an earlier statement that it holds in its captivity some 200-250 people including Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Hagari also said that the Israeli army continues with its offensive on Gaza, with a focus last night on eastern Gaza.

Earlier on Friday, the Israeli army carried out a limited incursion near the Shuja'iyya neighborhood marking the second ground raid since Oct 7.

Israeli military officials, on several occasions, confirmed the army's readiness to conduct a large-scale ground operation in Gaza, but are awaiting a green light from the Israeli political leadership.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara