Israel announces death of 4 soldiers, raising Gaza ground op toll to 126

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the deaths of four IDF soldiers killed in the Gaza fight, bringing the toll of slain troops in the ground offensive against Hamas to 126.

Sgt. First Class Urija Bayer, 20, a commando in the Maglan unit, from the northern town of Maalot-Tarshiha, died of his wounds sustained in fighting in southern Gaza on December 14, 2023, The Times of Israel reports.

Sgt. First Class Liav Aloush, 21, a commando in the Duvdevan unit, from Gedera, was killed fighting in southern Gaza on December 17.

Master Sgt. (res.) Etan Naeh, 26, also of the Duvdevan unit, from Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in northern Israel, was killed fighting in southern Gaza yesterday.

Master Sgt. (res.) Tal Filiba, 23, of the Combat Engineering Corps’ Yahalom unit, from Rehovot, was killed fighting in southern Gaza yesterday.

The military says that a third fighter from the Duvdevan unit was seriously injured in the fighting.