Israel’s military has confirmed the deaths of seven soldiers during combat operations in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, marking one of the deadliest single-day tolls for Israeli forces in recent weeks. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), all seven fatalities were members of the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion and ranged in age from 19 to 21.
The military has released the names of six of the fallen soldiers but is withholding the identity of the seventh until the soldier’s next of kin is formally notified. The troops were reportedly engaged in active operations inside Gaza when they came under attack.
In addition to the fatalities, an eighth soldier from the same battalion sustained critical injuries during the incident. The wounded soldier was airlifted from Gaza to a hospital in Israel, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, the IDF stated.
The 605th Battalion is responsible for engineering tasks including breaching enemy fortifications, clearing explosives, and supporting ground forces. Its presence in Gaza underscores the intensity of Israel’s ongoing military operations in the territory.
The deaths come amid continued escalation in Gaza, where Israeli forces are conducting extensive ground raids and airstrikes following months of heightened conflict with Hamas and other armed groups. The latest casualties are expected to deepen public concern and scrutiny over the military campaign’s human cost.