ISTANBUL

The Israeli army on Tuesday announced the death of two more soldiers in battles in the northern Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Israeli army identified the two soldiers as Roee Marom, 21, from the army's 906 Battalion, and Raz Abulafia, 27, from the 6863 Battalion.

It added that four others were injured, including two in serious condition, who were hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, and were evacuated for treatment.

The new deaths have brought the death toll of Israeli soldiers since the start of the military ground operation in Gaza on Oct. 27 to 47.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 39th day, at least 11,240 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 women and children, and around 29,000 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar