Casualties among Israeli soldiers surface during fierce combat in Gaza region

In the ongoing conflict, Israel has declared a "dangerous combat zone" in the Gaza Strip and intensified bombardments since early Thursday. The military campaign, part of Operation Gideon 2, approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz on Aug. 21, aims to occupy Gaza City.

Heavy clashes have been reported, with Israeli forces attempting to advance into the area. According to Channel i24, these clashes have been fierce, leading Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, to state that combat conditions would increase the chances of capturing Israeli soldiers.

On Friday night, seven Israeli soldiers were wounded when an armored personnel carrier ran over an explosive device. Unverified social media reports claim that Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting on the outskirts of Gaza City. However, the specific Israeli army units reportedly killed or injured during the night of April 22, 2023, in Gaza City have not been officially confirmed by the Israeli military.

The developments follow harsh statements from Abu Obeida, who warned that Israel's plans to occupy Gaza would prove disastrous for Tel Aviv's political and military leadership. He also warned that the captured soldiers, if indeed they have been captured, would be used as bargaining chips in future negotiations.

The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine. The army and Palestinian armed groups have not yet issued statements on the reported capture of soldiers or the developments. The current Israeli attacks are part of a two-week-long operation that started in the Zeitoun neighborhood and extended to Sabra.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The Israeli Army Radio suggests the army may have activated the "Hannibal Protocol" during the fighting, though this has not been officially confirmed. The specifics of the protocol are not publicly known, but it is believed to involve the withdrawal of troops from a heavily contested area.

As of the latest reports, Israel has killed more than 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The international community has called for a ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks.