Two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers tragically lost their lives during a clash with Hamas terrorists in Central Gaza over the weekend.
In a statement by the IDF, Master Sgt. Ido Aviv, 28, from Karmiel, and Master Sgt. Kalkidan Meharim, 37, from Petah Tikva, was killed in an explosion near the military’s Route 749 corridor. Another IDF soldier was also seriously injured in the attack that is currently under investigation. Their deaths bring the total number of Israeli troops killed since October in its ground offensive against Hamas to 263.
As tensions continue to rise, both the IDF’s 162nd and 98th brigades have reportedly been undergoing rigorous training in recent days in preparation for a major operation Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.
According to the Times of Israel, the 162nd Division, had been stationed in Gaza for six months until last week and was recently tasked with securing the vital Route 749. Meanwhile, the 98th Division had spent four months conducting operations in Khan Younis before being pulled back earlier this month.
During a Tuesday speech to the Gvura and Tikva family hostage forums, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a commitment to launch a ground offensive in Rafah regardless of the outcome of negotiations with Hamas.
“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all its aims is not an option. We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there whether or not there is a deal, in order to achieve total victory,” he said.
