From left to right: Sgt. First Class (res.) Asaf Pinhas Tubul, 22, Cpt. (res.) Neriya Zisk, 24, Maj. Dvir David Fima 32. (Israel Defense Forces)
On December 28, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the deaths of three troops during fighting in the Gaza Strip the previous day, bringing the toll of slain troops since the start of the ground operations against the Hamas Movement and other armed factions in the Palestinian enclave to 167.
The soldiers were identified by the IDF as reserve Sergeant First Class Asaf Pinhas Tubul, 22, from the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, reserve Captain Neriya Zisk, 24, a company commander in the 401st Armored Brigade’s 52nd Battalion and Major Dvir David Fima, 32, the deputy commander of the 460th Armored Brigade’s 198th Battalion.
Tubul was killed in southern Gaza, in a battle that seriously wounded another officer and soldier of the 77th Battalion, while Fima was killed in the central region of the Strip, in a battle that seriously wounded a soldier of the 7107th Battalion. Zisk was also killed in the central region, in a separate battle.
Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, reported heavy clashes with Israeli troops across Gaza on December 27.
The group said its fighters hit five main battle tanks, two armored personnel carriers, five bulldozers and seven other vehicles of the IDF. It also reported that two Israeli helicopters were targeted with Soviet-made 9K38 Igla man-portable air defense systems.
In addition, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that its fighters used a Soviet-made RPO-A Shmel thermobaric rocket to target a gathering of Israeli troops. This weapon was not spotted before with the group, which may indicate new supplies.
The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades also released videos of recent attacks against the IDF in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood and the city of Khan Yunis.
Overall, Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza have been improving their defensive tactics. The IDF is susting more losses as it attempts to expand ground operations in the Strip. Still, Israel will not likely accept a new ceasefire agreement before the end of the year.
