The IDF has cleared for publication the names of two IDF soldiers who fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday:
Captain (res.) Omri Yosef David, 27, from Karmiel, Deputy Company Commander in the 12th Negev Brigade and Captain Yedidya Asher Lev, 26, from Tal Menashe, Deputy Company Commander in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade.
In addition, four soldiers were seriously injured in the fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed on Tuesday night that “based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital.”
The confirmation followed a report in Al Jazeera which that the Hamas-run "health ministry" in Gaza had received notice that the IDF was planning to invade the hospital "within minutes".
“The IDF is conducting a ground operation in Gaza to defeat Hamas and rescue our hostages. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza,” the IDF statement said.
IDF spokesman in English, Peter Lerner, told CNN on Tuesday night, "We are entering the Shifa Hospital for a local, precise mission to reach the place where we will defeat Hamas and maybe release hostages. We are not raiding the hospital but targeting a specific place."
The White House commented on the IDF operation and said that Washington "does not support the aerial bombardment of a hospital, and does not want to see a shootout inside it. Hospitals and patients must be protected."
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, the White House said.
“The President and the Prime Minister discussed at length ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, including many children and a number of Americans,” the White House statement said.
The call took place after a senior Israeli political source told ABC News that progress has been made on a deal to free hostages being held by Hamas, adding a breakthrough could come in the next 48-72 hours.