At the beginning of the new year, as the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip enters its third month, the Israeli military announced a recent toll of its casualties. The military reported that 18 of its soldiers were killed by friendly fire, most likely shot by their comrades.
Friendly Fire or Operational Accidents
In a statement released on Monday, the military clarified that 29 of its soldiers have fallen to friendly fire or operational accidents since the start of the ground operation in Gaza, which began with the ground incursion on October 27th, as reported by Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondent.
The Israeli military had previously announced in mid-December that out of 105 soldiers who died in the Palestinian sector during the ground incursion, 20 were killed by friendly fire or other accidents, and not by Palestinian militants’ fire. A military spokesperson then explained that “105 soldiers fell during ground operations in Gaza, 20 of them in various incidents.”
He also noted that 13 were killed by friendly fire, while the others died in incidents involving the use of weapons or machinery, being run over, or “malfunctions in firing,” according to France-Presse agency.
Since the war in Gaza erupted on October 7th following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli settlements and military bases in the Gaza Strip, about 450 Israeli soldiers have been killed, including more than 100 in the ground operation alone. Around 1650 Israeli soldiers were injured, according to the Jerusalem Post.
On the Palestinian side, about 22,000 people have fallen, most of them children and women. Nearly two-thirds of the buildings in the besieged sector were destroyed, either completely or partially. Meanwhile, more than 80% of the sector’s residents have been internally displaced.”
Recent developments in the ongoing Gaza war suggest that diplomatic efforts are intensifying to bring about a ceasefire, although significant challenges remain. Egypt has put forward an ambitious plan for a ceasefire, which involves several rounds of captive and prisoner exchanges. This plan includes a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the release of captives held by Hamas, and the establishment of a united Palestinian government. The plan, developed with Qatar, seeks to unite Palestinian factions Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, aiming for a government of experts to run the West Bank and Gaza ahead of future elections. However, the plan’s success seems uncertain, with divisions within the Israeli war cabinet and Hamas’ rejection of proposals that they relinquish power in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of intense Israeli bombardments and rocket firing by Palestinian armed groups. The World Health Organization has indicated that the last hospital in the northern half of the Gaza Strip has effectively ceased functioning, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Diplomatic efforts have ramped up, with leaders from Hamas and Islamic Jihad participating in negotiations in Egypt. The United States has also expressed its commitment to pushing for a resolution. Despite ongoing negotiations, Hamas has stated it will not enter negotiations over releasing captives until Israel ends its war on Gaza.