Israeli soldier critically injured in southern Gaza clashes, military says

JERUSALEM

An Israeli soldier was critically injured in clashes in the southern Gaza Strip, the military said on Tuesday.

A military statement said the soldier, from the Givati Brigade's Reconnaissance Unit, was in critical condition after he was wounded last night.

The soldier was hospitalized, the statement said, without providing further details.

According to Israeli military figures, at least 709 soldiers have been killed and 4,448 others injured since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 41,200 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 95,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar