The Israeli Occupation’s war machine continues its assault on the Gaza Strip for the 259th consecutive day, perpetrating more massacres and acts of genocide against civilians, and bombing multiple areas in the territory.

 

The military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, announced that they had set an ambush for an “Israeli” army unit, by "preparing a special mine with a large explosive force" on Sea Street, south of Tel Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah – according to their statement.

 

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) said Friday that two reservists were killed in a Hamas mortar attack in central Gaza.

 

The two soldiers are identified as:

 

Sergeant First Class (reserve) Omer Smadga, 25 years old, of the Alexandroni Brigade’s 9203rd Battalion.

 

Sergeant First Class (reserve) Saadia Yaakov Derai, 27 years old, of the Alexandroni Brigade’s 9203rd Battalion.

 

Another three soldiers of the same Brigade were seriously wounded in the incident – the statement adds.

 

Hamas said Yesterday it had targeted an “Israeli” military position near Zaytoun Neighborhood in Gaza city with mortar shells.

 

These deaths bring the toll of killed “Israeli” troops in the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip to 314 – and to 662 since Oct. 7, 2023.

 

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the death toll has reached 37,431, with an unofficial count of 85,653 wounded since October 7.