The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Thursday that Sergeant Ariel Sosnov, a 20-year-old from Yerushalayim, was killed in combat operations in northern Israel. Sosnov, who served in the “Barak” Brigade’s 605th Engineer Battalion, is the latest casualty in the ongoing conflict, bringing the number of Israeli soldiers lost since the start of the war to 781.

In addition to this loss, another soldier from the Kfir Brigade’s Nachshon Battalion (90) was critically injured in fighting within the northern Gaza Strip. The injured soldier was quickly transported to a hospital for treatment, and his family has been notified of his condition.

With tensions rising, IDF Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi carried out a strategic assessment of the northern front. Emphasizing the importance of both military readiness and diplomatic efforts, he stated, “We must continue to develop plans for the continuation of the fighting, including the expansion and deepening of ground maneuvers.” General Halevi added that IDF operations continue to strike Hezbollah targets throughout the region, extending from southern Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley, as well as areas in Beirut and Syria.

The previous weekend saw further losses, as two Givati Brigade soldiers were killed in combat in Jabaliya, located in northern Gaza. Sergeant Itai Parizat, 20, from Petach Tikva, and Sergeant Yair Chanania, 22, from Mitzpe Netofa, were both confirmed dead in action. In a separate incident, Captain Yarden Zakai, 21, from Chadera, passed away from injuries sustained in a weapon explosion in Rafah on September 17.

{Matzav.com}