Illustrative image.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continues to sustain material and human losses in the Gaza Strip as a result of the fierce resistance of the Hamas Movement and other Palestinian armed factions.
Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, released on January 16 video footage showing an attack with a rocket propelled grenade and an explosive device against an armored personnel carrier of the IDF in the Gaza City’s neighborhood of Sheikh Radwan in northern Gaza.
The group also released two videos showing mortar attacks on Israeli troops in northern Gaza and other parts of the Strip on January 16 and 17.
Another video released by the group on January 17 showed the wreckage of two Skylark reconnaissance drones of the IDF which were recently downed over Gaza.
In addition, the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, shared footage on January 16 showing a recent mortar attack on gatherings of the IDF in the city of Khan Youns in southern Gaza.
The IDF announced the death of two soldiers in Gaza on January 16, a Sergeant Major from the 179th Brigade’s 5352nd Patrol Company and a Sergeant First Class from the the 55th Brigade’s 7155th Battalion. The death of three more soldiers was announced on January 17, a Master Sergeant from the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion, a Sergeant Major from the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion and a Staff Sergeant from the Givati Brigade’s reconnaissance unit.
The last deaths have brought the toll of Israeli troops killed during ground operations in Gaza to 193. Around a thousand others have been wounded so far, some of whom are still in a life threatening condition.
In recent weeks, the IDF pulled out a significant number of troops from northern Gaza and some areas in the center of the Strip. However, operations are still ongoing at full force in the south, especially in Khan Younis and in the nearby town of Khuza’a.
Despite a recent deal between Israel and Hamas to facilitate the entry of medicine to Gaza, including for Israeli hostages held there, the two sides do not appear to be close to agreeing on a new ceasefire.
