Dr Mike Evans

Four IDF soldiers killed during operation in Jabalia By Dr Mike Evans

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday morning identified four soldiers killed in action in Jabalia, a city in the northern Gaza Strip, as part of ongoing military operations in the region.

The soldiers, all from the Kfir Brigade’s Shimshon Battalion 92, were identified as Staff Sgt. Orr Katz, 20, from Ma’ale Adumim; Staff Sgt. Nave Yair Asulin, 21, from Carmit; Staff Sgt. Gary Lalhruaikima Zolat, 21, from Afula; and Staff Sgt. Ofir Eliyahu, 20, from Holon.

Their deaths bring the IDF’s total casualties to 787 since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, with 373 soldiers having fallen since the launch of ground operations in Gaza on October 27, 2023.

The soldiers’ deaths reflect the intensity of the ongoing conflict, with the IDF engaged in significant combat operations against Hamas militants in both the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas. On Monday, the IDF also released the name of a reservist killed in action in northern Gaza.

IDF Maj. (res.) Itamar Levin Fridman, 34, from Eilat, was a commander in the Lotar counter-terrorism unit, a special forces team tasked with protecting residents and tourists in southern Israel and specializing in hostage rescue. Fridman died after being struck by an anti-tank missile.

The recent deaths underscore the heavy toll of the conflict, as the IDF continues its efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure in Gaza. In particular, the military has been focusing its operations in Jabalia, where Hamas has been reported to be reestablishing a stronghold.

The operation in Jabalia is part of a broader strategy to weaken Hamas’ military capabilities and disrupt its leadership network. The city, home to tens of thousands of residents, has been a focal point of IDF operations aimed at neutralizing Hamas fighters and preventing further attacks.

Since the start of operations in northern Gaza, the IDF has made significant strides in its mission. According to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, over 1,000 Hamas militants have been killed and another 1,000 captured in Jabalia alone over the past three weeks.

During a situational briefing on November 8, Halevi described these achievements as “a significant blow” to Hamas, emphasizing the strategic importance of the operation in weakening the militant group’s position in Gaza.