The Israeli military has reported the casualties of three more IDF (Israeli Defence Force) soldiers in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. With these fatalities, total casualties in Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas fighters increased to 137.
The fallen soldiers have been identified as follows:
- Sergeant Lavi Ghasi, 19, hailing from Hashmonaim, served as an infantryman in the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion. Lieutenant Yaacov Elian, 20, a resident of Ramat Gan, previously a Givati squad commander and currently a cadet in the Bahad 1 officers school’s Gefen Battalion.
- Lieutenant Omri Shwartz, 21, from Shadmot Dvora, previously a soldier in the Paratrooper Brigade’s Reconnaissance Battalion and currently a cadet in the Gefen Battalion. The Times of Israel reported the latest casualties on Thursday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported that an officer and two other Gefen cadets sustained serious injuries in the incident that resulted in the deaths of Shwartz and Elian.
Furthermore, the military has disclosed that five additional soldiers suffered serious injuries in Gaza battles, including two from the Nahal Brigade’s 50th Battalion, one from the Oketz canine unit, an officer in the 460th Armored Brigade’s 532nd Battalion, and a reserve soldier in the Kiryati Brigade’s 9218th Battalion.
Meanwhile, a French legislator has called for a thorough investigation into over 4,000 citizens participating alongside the Israeli army in Palestinian territories, citing potential “war crimes.”
Thomas Portes, representing the La France Insoumise [LFI] party, recently disclosed his action in addressing Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti.
He urged an inquiry into the conduct of 4,185 French-origin soldiers involved with the Israeli army in Gaza, emphasizing the need for French justice to examine and hold accountable any individuals found guilty of war crimes.
This push aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron’s plea to Israel, cautioning against widespread devastation in Gaza and the indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Portes emphasized that any involvement of French citizens in such offenses is unacceptable, particularly in light of reported war crimes committed by the Israeli army in Gaza and the West Bank.
Portes cited Europe 1, a prominent French radio station, which disclosed the substantial presence of French or Franco-Israeli individuals among the Israeli army’s ranks in Gaza, constituting one of the largest foreign contingents after the US.
