LIVE UPDATES
The military reported that two Israeli soldiers lost their lives in combat in southern Gaza, on Sunday, following the announcement of another soldier's death due to injuries from the previous week.
Defence Minister Israel Katz expressed sorrow on X, stating, "We have lost three young heroes, some of our finest, who sacrificed their lives for the security of our country and for the safe return of all our hostages."
The deceased soldiers, aged 20 and 22, were part of the Golani Infantry Brigade’s 51st Battalion. According to Israeli military sources, they died when their armored vehicle was struck by an explosion in Khan Yunis.
Military correspondents from various Israeli media outlets reported that the explosion was triggered by an improvised explosive device planted by a militant who emerged from a tunnel.
An investigation is currently ongoing. Since the commencement of its ground offensive in Gaza on October 27, 2023, the Israeli military has reported that 462 soldiers have been killed.
The military operation was initiated in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, predominantly civilians, based on an AFP tally using official data.
In the course of this campaign, it is reported that 59,733 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have lost their lives, according to the health ministry in the territory controlled by Hamas.
