Another Israeli soldier killed in Gaza fighting

By Abdul Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Another Israeli soldier was killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip, the army said on Wednesday.

A military statement said a member of the Golani Brigade's elite special operations unit died in clashes north of the Palestinian enclave.

Another soldier was seriously injured in the Gaza Strip, the army said.

There are conflicting reports about the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army said at least 391 soldiers have been killed since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7. The fatalities included 69 soldiers since Israel expanded its ground onslaught in the blockaded territory on Oct. 27, according to The Times of Israel newspaper.

Since Israel started bombarding Gaza following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, more than 14,128 Palestinians have been killed, including over 9,750 women and children, according to the latest figures.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

An Israeli blockade has also cut Gaza off from fuel, electricity, and water supplies, and hindered aid deliveries.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ziad Aslan in Ankara