IDF confirms 17 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza campaign

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed several more casualties in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, bringing the total number of soldiers killed in the second phase of the war to 17.

On Wednesday, Israel's military said 10 soldiers were killed after Hamas fired an anti-tank guided missile at one of its units in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Additional casualties were reported as the day went on and the IDF subsequently increased the death toll to 16 by Wednesday evening.

By Thursday morning, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said 17 total Israeli soldiers had died in Gaza. He also updated the number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza to 242.

Israeli forces entered the second stage of their war with Hamas earlier this week and the IDF expanded ground operations in what is expected to be a lengthy military operation. Israeli ground troops are now tasked with clearing out a complex network of Hamas tunnels and other fortified strongholds.

Until this week, Israel largely relied on airstrikes and artillery to retaliate against Hamas' massacre in Israel on Oct. 7. The IDF said it has attacked 11,000 targets in Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.