The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have confirmed the deaths of four soldiers and the serious injury of another during intense confrontations in the southern region of the Gaza Strip.
In an unprecedented move, Israeli media has been authorized to release the names of the fallen soldiers. Among them is IOF Sergeant Uriah Bayer from the elite Maglan unit, who was critically wounded earlier this month.
The Maglan unit specializes in covert combat operations behind enemy lines. Also included in the casualties are Sergeant Liav Alloush and Reserve Sergeant Eitan Na, both of whom fought alongside the Duvdevan Unit of the Commando Brigade. The fourth soldier, Reserve Sergeant Tal Veleva, served as a fighter in the Yahalom unit within the Combat Engineering Corps.
IOF also acknowledged the deaths of two sergeants at different locations in Gaza on Sunday – one in the north and another in the south.
However, as the ground invasion continues, Israeli media outlets are issuing cautionary statements reiterating that a sole ground attack will not meet “Israel’s” objectives in the ongoing war on Gaza. According to several reports, the specified timeline for the operation, estimated to last a few weeks, may not yield significant achievements such as defeating the Palestinian resistance or securing the release of captives.
Former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Ofer Shelah, emphasized the need for a change in military strategy for the IOF’s third stage of the war. Shelah proclaims that gaining control of the northern part of the Gaza Strip, engaging in airstrikes in the southern region while withdrawing ground forces, and closing the Philadelphi Corridor should be considered in the new approach. Furthermore, Shelah argues that a proposed ceasefire location is imperative.
This comes as the Israeli aggression against Gaza has continued for 73 days, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 19,000 Palestinian citizens, and the injury of more than 52,000 others, 70% of whom are women and children, an infinite toll, in addition to massive destruction of residential buildings and vital facilities. And hospitals.
Source: Agencies and Al-Manar English Website
