Top Israeli commander among 18 soldiers killed; death toll surpasses 400

JERUSALEM: The head of the elite multidimensional unit, also known as the “Ghost” unit, Col Roi Levy, 44, was among 18 Israeli soldiers killed in latest battle with Hamas in the southern community of Re’im, according to Israeli military.

Intense clashes persist between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces in various locations across southern Israel, with the conflict escalating further following Hamas’s unexpected incursion into Israel.

Simultaneously, Hezbollah has asserted responsibility for launching mortar attacks from Lebanon into the disputed Shebaa Farms region, which Israel occupies. In response, Israel has reported retaliatory artillery strikes.

The situation remains fluid and tense, with both sides engaged in ongoing hostilities, posing serious concerns for the region’s stability. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as the situation unfolds.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commended Col Roe Levy was killed while leading his team into the battle zone at Kibbutz Re’im to rescue besieged citizens trapped in their homes, according to official IDF statement.

Other Israeli soldiers were killed while engaging in fierce exchanges of fire with Hamas fighters were Lt-Col. Yonatan Tzur, 33, the commander of the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion; Maj. Avraham Hovlashvili, 26; Maj. Ido Yehoshua, 27, an Israeli Air Force instructor; Maj. Omri Michaeli, 35, a soldier; Cpt. Arye Shlomo Tsering, 27; Lt. Shoham Tomer, 23; Maj. (res.) Omri Michaeli, 35, an officer; Lt. Rom Shlomi, 23, an officer; Sgt. First Class Vitaly Shipkevich, 21; Sgt. Ilay Gamzu, 20, a paratrooper; Staff Sgt. Ohad Cohen, 20, a Shaldag soldier; Sgt. Itay-El Marciano, 20, a paratrooper; Cpl. Itamar Ayish, 19, a Home Front Command soldier; Cpl. Ori Loker, 19, a soldier; Cpl. Yaron Zahar, 19, a soldier; Pvt. Ofir Davidian, 18, a logistics soldier and Cpt. Tal Grushka, 25, a Nahal officer.

The toll of this latest conflict continues to rise with Israeli officials confirming the deaths now exceedeing 400 on thier side. The death count includes numerous soldiers and police officer.

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Additionally, the Israeli Health Ministry has reported a staggering number of wounded individuals currently receiving treatment in hospitals, with a total of 2,048 wounded. Among them, 20 were in critical condition, and 330 were seriously wounded, underlining the severe toll this conflict has taken on both sides.

Despite the passage of more than 30 hours since the initial assault, the Israeli military said it was still engaged in intense battles with Hamas armed militants in border communities.

The Israeli military announced that its fighter jets have conducted airstrikes on three command centers belonging to armed groups in the Gaza Strip. These targets were reported to be the headquarters of both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, Israeli media said.

In another statement, the Israeli army issued a warning to residents of the al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza, urging them to evacuate immediately. The statement emphasizes that their operations are in response to actions by Palestinian fighters and are not aimed at harming civilians or their families. The Israeli military specifically called on residents near Aziz Mosque in the al-Daraj neighborhood to leave the area promptly.

Reports from Israeli media indicated that the army has deployed numerous tanks to southern Israel as fierce battles continue between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters who infiltrated from Gaza into the region. The situation remains highly dynamic, with ongoing military operations in progress.