Israeli Soldier Killed in Gaza as Ground Fighting Intensifies
An Israeli soldier was killed on Saturday in the first reported military fatality since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza following the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18.
The soldier was identified as Warrant Officer G’haleb Sliman Alnasasra, 35, who served in the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade. According to Israeli media, Alnasasra was killed in an ambush near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. A preliminary Israeli military investigation reported that three servicewomen from an intelligence unit were injured in the initial ambush. When Alnasasra’s unit responded to assist, an explosion killed him and wounded two other soldiers.
The official death toll among Israeli military and security personnel since the ground invasion began on October 27, 2023, now stands at 411, with the overall death count of Israeli personnel since October 7th, 2023 is reported to be 846 soldiers and 69 police personnel.
Recent footage released by the Al-Qassam Brigades—the armed wing of Hamas—and the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestinian Islamic Jihad has shown increasing attacks on Israeli armored vehicles in Gaza, suggesting an escalation in fighting as Israeli forces push deeper into the territory.
While peace negotiations are ongoing, little progress has been made. Hamas claims Israel is now demanding the group disarm and for its leadership to leave Gaza—conditions the group has rejected.
In a separate development, Hamas announced that the fate of American-Israeli captive Ednan Alexander remains unknown following an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday targeting the area where he was being held. One of the Hamas fighters guarding Alexander was reportedly killed in the strike, casting uncertainty over the captive’s status.