The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson's Unit announced Sunday the tragic loss of eight soldiers in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, marking a somber moment in the ongoing conflict.
In the southern Gaza Strip, four soldiers from the 7th Armored Brigade’s Combat Engineering 603rd Battalion and the 36th Division "Ga'ash" were killed when an anti-tank missile struck their vehicle. The fallen heroes include Staff.-Sgt. David Bogdanovskyi, 19, from Haifa; Staff.-Sgt. Orel Bashan, 20, also from Haifa; Staff.-Sgt. Gal Hershko, 20, from Yiftah; and Staff.-Sgt. Itamar Shemen, 21, from Lapid. This attack also left two other soldiers seriously wounded.
🇮🇱🕯️
— Ron M. (@Jewtastic) December 24, 2023
Extremely difficult days for the nation of Israel, there were heavy losses yesterday 6 IDF soldiers fell, and today 8 soldiers have fallen in combat. Casualties from the war now exceed 150 IDF soldiers. Pray for their loved ones, this has been a very difficult weekend. pic.twitter.com/CIO1e3sPPA
Meanwhile, in the central Gaza Strip, four reservists from the 7810 and 6646 Battalions lost their lives in two separate incidents involving explosive devices. Master-Sgt. (res.) Nadav Issachar Farhi, 30, from Herzliya; Master-Sgt. (res.) Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28, from Haifa; Sgt.-First Class (res.) Elyassaf Shoshan, 23, from Jerusalem; and Sgt.-First Class (res.) Ohad Ashur, 23, from Kfar Yona, were the soldiers who fell in these incidents, which also resulted in four serious injuries among their comrades.
Since the onset of the war, the IDF has suffered the loss of 485 valiant soldiers.
The IDF continues to engage in intense combat operations, particularly in Khan Younis, a strategic area in south Gaza believed to be a hideout for some of Hamas’s leadership. Over the weekend, the IDF successfully targeted and eliminated Hassan al-Atrash, a key Hamas official responsible for the supply and production of weapons, as well as smuggling arms into Gaza. Al-Atrash was also implicated in arming terrorists in the West Bank. His elimination was achieved through a precise airstrike in Rafah, with the IDF releasing footage of the operation. According to Palestinian media, this airstrike resulted in at least three casualties.
In a concerted effort to weaken Hamas's capabilities, the IDF reported striking approximately 200 targets across the Gaza Strip in the past day alone. These operations involved the Air Force, Navy, and ground forces engaging in what the military describes as “fierce battles.”
We are heartbroken to report on the deaths of 8 additional #IDF soldiers who were killed in #Gaza during this current operation against #Hamas terrorists. May the memories and heroism of these brave men forever be a blessing. 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/s1Rpd70jve
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) December 24, 2023
In northern Gaza, the IDF's Yiftah Brigade identified and targeted several terrorists emerging from a Hamas surveillance building, calling in an airstrike for neutralization.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, in his evening address, highlighted the expansion of military operations in southern Gaza, emphasizing efforts against Hamas’s underground infrastructure and the seizure of a significant cache of explosive weaponry. He noted that in the Khan Younis area, the IDF is intensifying its operations against Hamas’s tunnels, with plans to further enhance the capabilities of the 99th Division.
Another tunnel in South of Gaza:
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) December 22, 2023
The IDF discovers another tunnel of 100s of meters long. The IDF battled and killed many Hamas operatives.
The tunnel was found by the Yiftah brigade near a hospital. The tunnel was destroyed. pic.twitter.com/V9WtTANLea
Troops in Gaza City discovered a large arsenal of Hamas weapons in a school, including explosives, rockets, and naval capabilities, positioned in close proximity to civilian facilities. Additionally, footage from a Hamas operative's body camera, showing his failed attempt to attack Israeli military engineering vehicles before being neutralized by the elite Egoz unit, was released by the IDF.
In Jabaliya, northern Gaza, the 460th Armored Brigade directed successful airstrikes and artillery against Hamas operatives and observation positions. Concurrently, the 261st Brigade uncovered a substantial weapons cache in a civilian building, which alarmingly contained explosive belts designed for children.
These ongoing operations highlight the IDF's commitment to defending Israel and neutralizing threats, despite the heavy toll it bears in the loss of its brave soldiers.
