A 45-year-old man sustains injuries from a direct rocket hit in Holon, central Israel; the military reports that the Air Force targeted numerous Hamas operatives in Gaza in the past 24 hours.
On Monday morning, the Israel Defense Forces reported the deaths of seven more soldiers, with six killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. This brings the total number of soldiers killed in the ground offensive against Hamas to 104.
Five soldiers from the 5th Brigade’s 8111st Battalion lost their lives when an explosive device was detonated near them while battling a terror cell near a school in Khan Younis. The IDF responded with helicopter gunships and fighter jets, eliminating the Hamas operatives and destroying infrastructure in the area. The soldiers were identified as Maj. (res.) Roman Bronshtein, Cpt. (res.) Eliya Yanovsky, Master Sgt. (res.) Ari Yehiel Zenilman, Sgt. Maj. (res.) Etay Perry, and Maj. (res.) Eviatar Cohen.
The sixth soldier killed in Gaza on Sunday was Sgt. Maj. (res.) Gideon Ilani from the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 2855th Battalion.
Additionally, Maj. Gal Becher of the 36th Division died in a military-related traffic collision in southern Israel.
The IDF conducted an airdrop of around seven tons of equipment to troops in the Khan Younis area, marking the first such operation since the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
Gaza residents reported heavy fighting in and around Khan Younis, emphasizing the dire situation for civilians in the conflict zone. The IDF has urged civilians to evacuate areas of active fighting and seek refuge in designated safe zones.
The military also reported successful operations against Hamas operatives, including airstrikes and the discovery of weapons and explosives in Gaza. In response to rocket attacks, Israeli forces continued defensive measures.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas onslaught on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The IDF aims to topple Hamas and end its rule in the Gaza Strip, responding to ongoing attacks and hostage situations initiated by the terror group.