Israeli soldiers' death toll from ongoing fighting climbs to 220

By Ahmed Gouda and Hamdi Yildiz

JERUSALEM (AA) – At least 220 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Israel's ongoing military escalation with Palestinian groups in Gaza.

In a statement, the Israeli army stated that it had disclosed the identities of 31 more soldiers who were killed during the ongoing fighting.

The families of the soldiers were informed, it added.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi​​​​​​​