The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit on Thursday morning cleared for publication the names of two IDF soldiers who were killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
Captain Asaf Master, 22, from Kibbutz Bahan, a platoon commander in the 601st Battalion, 401st Brigade, and Captain Kfir Itzhak Franco, 22, from Jerusalem, a platoon commander in the 52nd Battalion, 401st Brigade.
In addition, an IDF reservist officer from Battalion 9217 was seriously injured in battle in the northern Gaza Strip and an IDF reservist from the Southern Brigade was seriously injured during an operational activity in the area near the Gaza border.
Their families have been notified.
On Wednesday, the head of the IDF Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkelman, joined the troops in Gaza.
"We continue and operate in the core of Gaza City, in the core of the capital of terrorism. We are deep inside the A-Shati refugee camp, over which we have slowly gained control. Our forces have killed many terrorists here, captured many, and destroyed many infrastructures," he said.
"At the same time, the operation continues in the south of the city and tonight we entered the Shifa Hospital in for a targeted operation. We will continue and move forward in light of our operational plans, and will continue to strike the enemy," Finkelman added.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, US President Joe Biden said Hamas is committing war crimes by operating from underneath hospitals.
On Israel's military operation at Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Biden said his administration has discussed with Israeli officials "the need for them to be incredibly careful."
He noted that Israel is "bringing in incubators and other means to help the people in the hospital. I'm told the doctors and nurses the opportunity to get out of harm's way. This is a different situation than before with indiscriminate bombing."
Biden said the Israeli operation in Gaza will end when Hamas can no longer murder and perpetrate horrific acts against Israelis.