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One Israeli soldier dead, several wounded as IDF returns to fighting in northern Gaza

The IDF had resumed operations in Gaza City after it was previously believed that they had cleared the area of Hamas terrorists.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

One IDF soldier was killed and two were reported wounded during an IDF operation in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood on Wednesday.

The IDF had resumed operations in Gaza City after it was previously believed that they had cleared the area of Hamas terrorists.

The soldier was named as Staff Sgt. Avraham Wovagen, 21, of the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, from Netanya.

The soldier’s death brings the total of IDF casualties since the ground war began to 237.

Two IDF soldiers were wounded in northern Gaza, one a soldier of the 932nd Battalion and the other was a reservist of the 636th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit.

Both soldiers were wounded by anti-tank missiles

The IDF reported a major raid in Zeitoun, during which they eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists and discovered stockpiles of weapons.

The Israeli Air Force and 215th Artillery Regiment carried out airstrikes and hit dozens of targets including tunnels, observation areas and weapon depots.

The IDF reports they have also discovered weapons in private homes.

As the IDF returns to fighting in Gaza City, it continues to “deepen” the fight against Hamas in the southern city of Khan Younis.

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The Givati Brigade has entered new areas in Khan Younis and has eliminated many terrorists, the IDF reports.

The Paratroopers and Commando Brigade were expanding operations into western Khan Younis, and the 7th Armored Brigade struck from the air two Hamas terrorists on a motorcycle.

A Givati Brigade soldier in southern Gaza was seriously injured by an explosive device.

In southern Gaza, a soldier of the Givati Brigade was seriously wounded as a result of an explosive device, the army said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been the target of criticism recently, including from the Biden Administration, for the IDF’s stated intention to operate in Rafah, an area of southern Gaza where over a million of Gazan civilians are concentrated.

Netanyahu has declared that a Rafah operation is essential for winning the war against Hamas, and said that only “military pressure and tough negotiations” could secure the release of the hostages.