3 Troops Killed İn Gaza: Israeli Army

The Israeli army on Wednesday admitted that three more of its soldiers had been killed in clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip, bringing to 32 the total number of Israeli troops killed since hostilities began more than two weeks ago.



In a statement, the Israeli army said three soldiers had been killed and as many wounded in clashes in the southern Gaza Strip's city of Khan Younis.



The Israeli army identified the slain soldiers as Second Lt. Paz Eliyahu, 22; Master Sgt. Li Mat, 19; and Master Sgt. Shahar Dauber, 20.



According to official Israeli figures, a total of 34 Israelis –32 soldiers and two civilians – have been killed to date.



The offensive has left at least 678 Palestinians dead – mostly civilians – since it began on July 7 with the stated aim of staunching Palestinian rocket fire.



Israel's "Operation Protective Edge," which continued unabated on Wednesday, is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated Gaza Strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



By Anees Barghouthy



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kudüs