The Israeli military confirmed the death of one of its soldiers and the serious injury of three others in ongoing battles in southern Gaza Strip. The family of the deceased soldier has been notified, and it was stated that he was killed on Saturday.
The Israeli military, on its website, identified the deceased as Sergeant Reserve Oriel Aviad Silverman, 23 years old, a member of Battalion 7421, part of the Kreti Brigades. He was killed in a battle in southern Gaza Strip.
With this, the number of Israeli military fatalities since October 7, 2023, has risen to 531, including officers and soldiers.
Additionally, the number of fatalities since the start of the Israeli army’s ground operations in Gaza has increased to 195.
The Israeli military also reported that two soldiers were seriously injured in southern Gaza Strip, and a third soldier was seriously injured during clashes in central Gaza Strip.
Israel had announced on Saturday that 16 soldiers and officers were injured in the previous 24 hours.
Since October 7, a total of 2,665 Israeli soldiers have been injured, according to the Israeli military. Among these, 1,207 were injured in the ground operation in Gaza.
The current situation in Gaza as of January 2024 is extremely dire, characterized by a profound humanitarian crisis and escalating conflict. According to reports from the United Nations and other sources, the ongoing war has led to a catastrophic level of hunger and famine in Gaza, with 80% of the global population facing famine or catastrophic hunger now located in the region. The entire population in Gaza is experiencing hunger, with a quarter starving and struggling to find food and drinkable water. The risk of famine is imminent, and children under five are at high risk of severe malnutrition, which could lead to stunting and long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by the destruction of Gaza’s food system and infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, bakeries, places of worship, and water systems. Israel has been accused of using food as a weapon against the Palestinian people by destroying and blocking access to farmland and the sea, severely hampering the availability of food and essential supplies. The healthcare system in Gaza has also collapsed due to the widespread destruction of medical facilities, which has greatly increased the risk of communicable diseases.
