The Israeli military announced on Wednesday the deaths of four soldiers during battles in the southern part of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
Among the dead was a medical officer, and six other soldiers were wounded, with three in critical condition.
This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the ground operations in Gaza began on October 27 to 348.
The conflict erupted on October 7, following an unprecedented attack by Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the US and several other countries.
The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, most of whom were civilians, including women and children, according to official reports.
During the attacks, 251 people were taken hostage, and 97 remain in captivity. The Israeli military has stated that 33 of those hostages are confirmed dead.
Israel responded to the Hamas attack with a heavy bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza, which has led to over 41,252 deaths, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The United Nations has reported that the majority of the casualties are women and children.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated dramatically in early October 2023 after Hamas launched a coordinated assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip.
The attack, unprecedented in its scale and intensity, led to a swift and forceful military response from Israel.
The Israeli government declared a state of war and began a large-scale bombing campaign, followed by a ground invasion into Gaza.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, is regarded by Israel, the United States, and the European Union as a terrorist organization.
Israel’s military operations have focused on dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure and neutralizing its capacity to launch further attacks. However, the war has taken a heavy toll on civilians, particularly in densely populated Gaza.
International organizations, including the United Nations, have called for ceasefires and humanitarian corridors to protect civilians, but the fighting has continued unabated.
The large-scale loss of life, especially among women and children, has drawn widespread global concern, with humanitarian agencies warning of a deepening crisis in Gaza due to shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter.
The ongoing conflict represents one of the most severe escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle in decades, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.
Diplomatic efforts to negotiate a truce have so far been unsuccessful, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The conflict remains a focal point of international attention, with nations around the world calling for urgent measures to de-escalate the violence.
