Israel Says 16 Soldiers Killed in Ground Invasion So Far

Hamas says the death toll is likely higher

The Israeli military has said 16 Israeli soldiers have been killed fighting in Gaza since Israel launched its invasion of the besieged enclave.

Clashes were reported in several parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday as the Israeli military claimed it broke through Hamas’ first line of defenses in the area.

Military Situation in Northern Gaza (SouthFront.press)

“The ground operation is progressing as planned,” said Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari. “With advance planning, precise intelligence, and joint attacks [from the land, air, and sea], our forces broke through Hamas’s front lines of defense in the north of the Gaza Strip.”

For their part, Hamas has said its fighters are inflicting heavy casualties and claimed the Israeli death toll is higher than what Israel is reporting. According to The Palestine Chronicle, Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said it has been able to take out many Israeli armored vehicles.

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound the besieged enclave on Wednesday as the death toll continues to grow. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Wednesday that 8,805 Palestinians, including 3,658 children, have been killed since Israel unleashed its bombing campaign.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.