Israeli army says another officer, soldier killed in Gaza battles

By Saed Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) -The Israeli army announced on Saturday that an officer and a soldier were killed during battles in the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll to 504 since Oct. 7.

In a brief statement, the Israeli army said: “Officer Capt. Kostantin Sushko, 30, a fighter in the 7086 Engineering Battalion, affiliated with the Golani Brigade, was killed in the midst of the battle in central Gaza.”

"Also today, soldier Herel Itah, 22, a team leader in the Givati Brigade, succumbed to his injuries after being wounded on Dec. 22 in a battle in the southern Gaza Strip.”

The number of Israeli troops killed since start of the ground offensive in the besieged enclave has risen to 170 officers and soldiers, and 504 since Oct. 7.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala