Gaza war day 108: Escalating Conflict in the Gaza strip - IDF Confirms the Loss of 24 soldiers

IIn a devastating turn of events, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson confirmed this morning that 21 reservist soldiers lost their lives in two serious incidents in the southern Gaza Strip. All along yesterday 24 soldiers have fallen. The fallen heroes include Major General (Res.) Matan Lazar, Maj. Gen. (res.) Hadar Keflok, Maj. Gen. (res.) Sergey Guntmacher, Maj. Gen. (res.) Elkana Yehuda Sepaz, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yuval Lopes, Major (res.) Yoav Levy, Major (res.) Nicholas Berger, Major (res.) Cedric Green, Sergeant Major (res.) Raphael Elias Moshiov, and Sergeant Major (res.) Barak Haim ben Walid.

The tragic incident occurred during a mission conducted by the 8208 reserve battalion, tasked with clearing the buffer strip in the center of Gaza. As part of this mission, the IDF aimed to establish security conditions for the return of residents to the south. The forces were engaged in demolishing Palestinian structures used for observation and firing on the Israeli side when a terrorist fired an RPG missile towards a tank, resulting in casualties. Subsequently, another anti-tank missile struck a building, triggering a massive explosion that claimed the lives of 21 reserve fighters.

Among the fallen soldiers are three officers from the paratroopers brigade, killed in fierce fighting in the western city of Khan Yunis: Major David Nati Alfasi, Major Ilay Levy, and Captain Eyal Mbaruch Toito. The total casualties since the ground maneuver began on October 27 now stand at 535 IDF soldiers, with 200 falling in Gaza.

Major Alfasi, 27, served as the second sergeant major in the 202nd paratrooper battalion. Major Levy, 24, served as MP in the same battalion, and Captain Toito, 22, was a platoon commander. Another soldier from the 202nd Battalion was seriously injured in the same battle.

Captain Toito's tragic death comes just 108 days after the loss of his yeshiva classmate, Sgt. Michael Ben Hamo. Captain Toito, described as a unique and special individual, was actively involved in charitable activities and exhibited leadership qualities. His mother, Shiri Toito, is the principal of Amit High School in the Yavneh group.

As the nation mourns these significant losses, the IDF emphasizes the responsibility to disseminate verified information and urges the public to act with sensitivity to the families' suffering. The fallen soldiers sacrificed their lives for Israel's security, leaving behind grieving families experiencing the most difficult times.

The international community mourns with the IDF, and educational institutions express condolences to the families, promising to educate future generations to honor the sacrifice of these fallen heroes. The IDF continues to update the families and the public as more information becomes available.

n a tragic update from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), it has been officially confirmed that three officers from the Paratroopers Brigade lost their lives in the intense fighting in the western city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Major David Nati Alfasi, Major Ilay Levy, and Captain Eyal Mbaruch Toito were killed by RPG fire during the recent clashes.

Major Alfasi, 27, hailing from Be'er Sheva, served as the second sergeant major in the 202nd Paratrooper Battalion. Major Ilay Levy, 24, from Tel Aviv, held the position of MP in the same battalion, while Captain Eyal Toito, 22, from Beit Gamliel, served as a platoon commander.