An Israeli soldier was killed and another 13 were wounded on Wednesday during combat operations in the southern Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of casualties in the ground offensive against Hamas since late October to 247.
In a statement by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Sergeant David Sasson, aged 21, was killed in action when his canine unit stormed a multi-story building within the Hamad residential complex in Khan Yunis when several Hamas terrorists ambushed them. The soldiers were hit by gunfire, grenade launchers, and an explosive device, according to an IDF investigation. Among the thirteen wounded in the battle against the terrorists, five sustained serious injuries. Several Hamas terrorists were killed in the fight against troops and in airstrikes in the area.
According to the IDF, recent interrogations have provided useful information to continue military operations in Gaza. During their ongoing incursion into the Hamad residential complex in Khan Yunis IDF forces captured hundreds of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives. In another part of Khan Yunis, the Bislamach Brigade ambushed and eliminated a five-person Hamas cell.
