Israel’s army on Wednesday confirmed seven of its soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, where the war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas continued.
The army’s website listed the names of five soldiers and a platoon commander from the same battalion who “fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.”
It added that a seventh soldier was also killed, but his family had not given permission for him to be named.
Israeli media reported the seven were in the city of Khan Younis when an explosive device planted on their vehicle detonated, setting it on fire.
More than 430 Israeli soldiers have died in the war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The militants also seized 251 hostages — 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27, the Israeli military says, are dead. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has martyred at least 56,077 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
