How Many Israeli Soldiers Were Killed in Gaza?

Synopsis
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a tragic toll on Israeli soldiers, with recent attacks resulting in casualties. This article delves into the details of these incidents and their implications amid the humanitarian crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Two Israeli soldiers were killed in separate attacks in Gaza.
- Three additional soldiers sustained serious injuries.
- Hamas claimed responsibility for the assaults.
- The total number of Israeli soldiers killed has reached 418.
- Humanitarian aid distribution is set to begin soon in Gaza.
Jerusalem, May 9 (NationPress) Two Israeli soldiers tragically lost their lives and three more sustained serious injuries during separate assaults in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, as reported by the Israeli military in a statement released on Friday.
The first incident involved Sergeant Yishai Urbach, 20, a combat engineer, who was killed when Hamas militants launched a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a building in Rafah, where Israeli troops were deployed. In this assault, two additional soldiers were injured, with one requiring urgent medical attention due to severe wounds. The injured personnel were airlifted to a medical facility in central Israel.
In the second attack, Sergeant Yam Frid, 21, part of the Golani infantry brigade, lost his life when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near the tank he occupied, also in Rafah. Two other soldiers in the same vehicle suffered serious injuries.
Hamas took responsibility for these attacks, announcing on Telegram that its operatives ambushed an Israeli unit of 12 soldiers inside a residence in eastern Rafah. The militants reportedly fired two RPGs and detonated an explosive device in proximity to the soldiers.
This recent violence has increased the total number of Israeli soldiers killed during the ongoing ground offensive in Gaza to 418, according to reports from Israeli media.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that over the past 24 hours, they have targeted more than 60 locations in Gaza, including terror cells, weapon storage sites, and other critical infrastructure.
In related news, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on Friday that the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza is set to commence soon, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
During a press conference in Jerusalem, Huckabee mentioned that private security personnel would manage the distribution of aid, while the IDF would ensure the safety of the perimeter. He stressed that the operation aims to prevent Hamas from taking control of the aid distribution.