The IDF announced on Thursday that three reserve soldiers were killed during combat in the northern Gaza Strip as part of an ongoing ground offensive aimed at preventing Hamas from reestablishing itself in the area. The soldiers, part of the 5460th support unit of the 460th Brigade, were identified as:

• Master Sgt. (res.) Ori Moshe Borenstein, 32, from Moreshet
• Maj. (res.) Netanel Hershkovitz, 37, from Jerusalem
• Master Sgt. (res.) Tzvi Matityahu Marantz, 32, from Bnei Adam

Their deaths bring the total number of Israeli troops killed in the Gaza offensive to 353.

The IDF’s operation in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya has seen intense fighting in recent days, with the military reporting the elimination of dozens of Hamas fighters. A statement from the IDF detailed that troops have seized significant quantities of weapons, including rifles, RPG launchers, and ammunition.

On Wednesday, the IDF, alongside the Shin Bet, targeted a command-and-control complex in Jabaliya, reportedly killing 12 terrorists linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Many of those killed were involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israeli border communities.

In another high-profile strike, the IDF hit a Hamas command post at a school-turned-shelter in central Gaza’s Deir Al-Balah on Thursday. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the attack killed 28 people and injured 54 others. The IDF stated that it took multiple precautions to minimize civilian harm, including using precision-guided munitions and conducting aerial surveillance. The IDF has repeatedly condemned Hamas for using civilian structures such as schools and shelters for military operations, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields.

Witnesses claimed that the strike on the Rufaida school complex occurred while a meeting between school managers and an aid group was taking place in a room normally used by Hamas-run police. At the time of the attack, no police officers were in the room, according to reports.

The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, also announced that Israel had agreed to “humanitarian pauses” in specific areas of Gaza to allow for a second round of polio vaccinations for roughly 590,000 children under the age of 10. Israel has yet to confirm the arrangement publicly.

In the midst of the escalating violence, the U.S. announced that it believes Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar remains alive and in hiding within Gaza’s extensive underground tunnel network, possibly surrounded by hostages. White House Middle East advisor Brett McGurk shared this assessment during a call with American rabbis, suggesting Sinwar continues to play a key role in Hamas operations.

Hamas is currently believed to be holding 97 hostages out of the 251 abducted during the October 7 attacks, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead. Hamas released 105 hostages during a truce in November, and eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli troops, while the bodies of 37 others, including three mistakenly killed during escape attempts, have been recovered.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)