UPDATES DEATH TOLL, OTHER CHANGES, REVISES HEADLINE
By Abdel Raouf Arnaout
JERUSALEM (AA) – The number of Israeli soldiers killed overnight in the ongoing ground offensive inside the Gaza Strip has risen to 16, bringing the total number of troops killed since the outbreak of the current conflict last month to 331, according to the army.
A military statement said a reserve soldier was killed by mortar fire on Wednesday in clashes near the border with the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media earlier reported that six soldiers were killed following the Israeli army's announcement of the deaths of nine soldiers during battles overnight in Gaza.
In a press conference on Wednesday, the Israeli army's spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, described the losses suffered by the Israeli military as "painful."
Since Tuesday, the Israeli army has issued multiple statements reporting intense battles inside the Gaza Strip following incursions from various directions.
The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
More than 10,300 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.
Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the Israeli siege.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala