Israeli army says military deaths rose to 304

Lebanon

The Israeli army said Wednesday that its military deaths in the current conflict with Palestinian groups has risen to 304.

In an online statement, the army announced the names of the two additional soldiers killed in clashes in the Netiv HaAsara settlement near the Gaza Strip in southern Israel.

With this, the death toll of the Israeli army has risen to 304, after the last announced toll on Tuesday was 302.

Twelve days into the conflict with resistance group Hamas, Israel's bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip continued, with over 1 million people displaced — almost half of Gaza's total population, according to the UN agency for Palestine refugees or UNRWA.

The fighting began on Oct. 7 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.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala