7 Israeli soldiers, including a colonel, are killed in clashes in Gaza, Lebanon
An Israeli army jeep drives along a road as a fire rages behind a house on a hill after rockets were fired from southern Lebanon, on the outskirts of Rosh Pinna in the Upper Galilee, Oct. 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Four Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza, including a colonel who commanded the 401st armored brigade, according to reports from the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. The Israeli commander, Colonel Ehsan Daqsa, died in clashes in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
Colonel Daqsa becomes the highest-ranking officer killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli ground offensive.
The 41-year old Daqsa was from the Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel. He assumed command of the 401st Brigade in June. Daqsa was also awarded a commendation by the Northern Command for his participation in the Battle of Ayta ash-Shab in 2006.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that an Israeli soldier was severely injured in the clash that resulted in Daksa’s death and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Hezbollah ‘destroyed’ claims Israeli defense chief
In a separate incident, three Israeli soldiers were killed and four others injured during confrontations in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah forces in Lebanon announced they fired rockets at three Israeli military bases shortly after Israel increased its attacks. The targeted bases are located near Haifa, Safed, and Tiberias.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed that Hezbollah in Lebanon had been “destroyed.”
In the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah reported it killed three Israeli soldiers while four others were severely injured.
As a result, the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since October 7, 2023, has risen to 749, including 356 during the ground invasion.
Since October 7, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of approximately 42,603 Palestinians, including around 17,000 children and 11,378 women, with 99,795 others injured.
Reports indicate that thousands of bodies remain trapped under the rubble, while hospitals and educational institutions, where civilians have sought refuge, have also been targeted, leading to significant damage to civilian infrastructure.
