The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Sergeant-First Class Jonathan Chazor. His death brings the toll of the fallen Israeli soldiers to 36 since the start of the ground offensive in Gaza.
Chazor, 22, was killed on Tuesday. He served in the elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Forces. Chazor is from the northern community of Katzir.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF announced the death of Sergeant-First Class (res.) Yaacov Ozeri. He served in the 52nd Company, 401st Battalion in the Armored Corps.
The Israeli army's chief spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said late Tuesday that ground forces had reached "the depths of Gaza City." The army said Wednesday that it killed one of Hamas' leading developers of rockets and other weapons, without saying where he was killed. Hamas has denied that Israeli troops have made any significant gains or entered Gaza City.
The push into Gaza City guarantees that the already staggering death toll will rise further, while comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about controlling Gaza's security for "an indefinite period" pointed to the uncertain endgame of a war that Israel says will be long and difficult.
Video: PM of Thailand says Thai hostages held by Hamas are alive / Credit: Reuters
Israel is focusing its operations on the city, which was home to some 650,000 people before the war and where the military says Hamas has its central command and a labyrinth of tunnels. Hundreds of thousands have heeded Israeli orders in recent weeks to flee the north, where the city is located.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians remain in the north, however, many sheltering at hospitals or UN schools.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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