Israeli army reports 695 soldiers killed since Oct. 7

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli Army reported on Friday that 695 soldiers have been killed since the onset of its campaign in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.

According to data published on the Israeli army's official website, 332 of these deaths occurred during ground battles in Gaza, which began on Oct. 27, 2023.

The army also reported that 4,357 soldiers have been injured, with 2,232 of these injuries sustained during the ground operations in Gaza. Among the injured, 21 soldiers are currently in serious condition, 169 in moderate condition, and 3 in mild condition.

Israeli officials have described the fighting as "intense" and costly, with continuous reports from Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claiming daily attacks on Israeli soldiers within the Gaza Strip.

Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,200 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,000 injuries, according to local health authorities.

The ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara