The Israeli Defense Forces have reported that eight soldiers sustained serious injuries during clashes with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
These soldiers belonged to the Golani and combat engineering corps.
Additionally, two soldiers from the Maglan special forces were seriously injured in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and an officer from the 82nd battalion suffered injuries in the northern region.
Lieutenant General Shahar Barkai, the battalion commander of the Golani training base, sustained intermediate injuries in southern Gaza. He assumed command to replace another injured officer during the combat in Israel. Barkai, in the same incident, was injured along with five other soldiers who suffered more severe injuries.
Today, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant held a meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv. Discussions revolved around operational developments in Gaza, the northern border with Lebanon, and the imperative to facilitate the return of Israeli citizens to their homes in the north. The talks also covered various threats in the Middle East, including Iranian aggression through its proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.
Minister Gallant emphasized Israel’s commitment to supporting international efforts against naval threats and its determination to defend itself from any form of threat.
Expressing gratitude, Minister Gallant acknowledged the ongoing support from the U.S. Administration to Israel’s efforts in bringing home hostages and achieving the operational goal of dismantling the Hamas terrorist organization.
Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant conveyed, “The United States and Israel share common interests, common values, and common goals in this war. This solidarity is crucial for Israel and the wider Middle East region. Thank you to the United States and to you personally for standing with us.”
Regarding Hamas, Minister Gallant stated, “Hamas is a terrorist organization that has evolved over a decade to combat Israel, establishing both underground and above-ground infrastructure. Dismantling them is a challenging task that will take time—more than several months. Nevertheless, we are determined to prevail and annihilate Hamas.”
{Matzav.com}
