1 soldier killed, 3 injured by anti-tank missile fired from Gaza, says Israeli army

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army released a statement confirming casualties dealt by an anti-tank missile launched from Gaza on Sunday.

It said that one soldier was killed and three others wounded, with one having moderate injuries and the other two having minor injuries.

The statement from the Israeli army clarified that "the missile was fired towards a tank and an engineering vehicle during a local operation conducted by the army earlier today in the Kisufim area near the Gaza border."

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala