39 Israeli soldiers killed since ground offensive began in Gaza Strip: Israeli media

By Abdul Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - At least 39 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of ground operations, Hebrew newspaper, Haaretz, said Thursday.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported earlier that the number of Israeli military casualties in ground operations was 35.

The Israeli army did not respond to Anadolu's inquiry regarding the number of casualties since the start of ground operations.

Israel said more than 270 soldiers have been injured since it began expanded ground operations on Oct. 27.

Periodically, the armed wing of the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas -- the Al-Qassam Brigades - issues statements that claim greater losses in the ranks of the Israeli army.

At least 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children and 2,823 women, have been killed in Israeli air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Basic supplies are running low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege, in addition to the large number of casualties and massive displacements.

*Writing by Ziad Aslan in Ankara