Cleared for publication: 3 soldiers killed by device

Cleared for publication: Three officers and soldiers were killed this morning by an explosion in Gaza.

Those killed were: Lt. Paz Eliyahu, a warrior in the paratroopers, 22 from Evron. Lieutenant Paz Eliyahu was promoted to deputy - lieutenant after his death.

Sgt Lee Matt, a warrior in the paratroopers, 19 from Eilat. He was promoted from sergeant to sergeant - first after his death.

Sgt Shachar Dubber, fighter in the paratroopers, 20 from Genigar. Promoted from sergeant to sergeant - first after his death.

So too, over the last day two soldiers were injured seriously, 10 soldiers moderately wounded and 20 other soldiers were lightly injured during IDF activity in the Gaza Strip.

Messages were delivered to the families. Since the beginning of the fighting 32 soldiers and officers were killed.

Jerusalem prays
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat instructed the municipal teams to hang thousands of Israeli flags, municipal and army flags all over the city in order to maintain a high morale, strengthen national pride and show support for IDF soldiers currently fighting in the Gaza Strip during Operation 'Solid Rock'.

As of yesterday municipal staffs hung more than 3,000 flags on main arteries at the entrance to the city and in the center of town.
Also on the electronic sign posted at the entrance to the Sakharov Gardens which welcomes the hundreds of thousands who arrive in the city every day, an inscription "Jerusalem embraces IDF soldiers" appears.

Barkat explained: "It is time to lift national morale and give the broadest possible support for army fighters fighting in the Gaza Strip. Jerusalem embraces the soldiers and from the capital of Israel we are sending a strong message of support, encouragement and prayer for the completion of the mission and return of all our troops home safely."

Minister Livnat said today: "I doubt if the cabinet knew the extent of the problem of the tunnels. This is not the time for charges, but after the war the issue will need to be checked."

Escorting to rest
More than 30 thousand people accompanied this afternoon Sgt. Max Steinberg hy"d, a lone soldier from the Golani Brigade, who immigrated to Israel from California and was killed in the fighting during Operation 'Solid Rock' in the Gaza Strip, whose funeral was held at Mount Herzl.

The call to take part in the funeral was disseminated in the last day on social networks, and as mentioned, thousands responded to it and came to page homage to Max.

At the same time, massive fighting continues in Gaza. IDF constantly attacks terrorist targets and systematically continues the destruction of the tunnels. Thus far 28 tunnels were discovered in the Gaza Strip, six tunnels were destroyed.

401 Brigade commander, Col. Saar Tzur, said: "We know for sure that when we're up there, there is someone walking below. We are aware of it. We are destroyiing the enemy and his infrastructure," said Col. Tzur. "We found tunnel shafts and we are working to locate the tunnels themselves."

IDF forces uncovered a tunnel shaft in Gaza. Inside the tunnel, IDF uniforms, maps and weapons were found. At the same time, the Givati Brigade force fired at a group of terrorists who emerged from a tunnel shaft. A hit at a terrorist was identified. One Palestinian killed and a number of wounded were at an attack on a house in Deir al Balah. About 11 Palestinians were injured by the IDF in Deir al Blai and Sheikh Zweid.

Artillery fire was fired at the third floor in the Balsam hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.

Security forces ordered residents in communities in the surrounding Gaza area to shut inside their homes due to suspected security incident. Just prior to 18:00 the concern was removed.

In midmorning, an armored force fired at two terrorist cells who engaged in final preparations to launch an anti-tank missile at Israeli forces. A hit was identified. During the night Aircraft Air Force with the assistance of armored forces fired accurately at a terrorist squad which was preparing to fire an anti-tank missile at troops. A hit was identified. During the night, anti-tank fire at Golani Brigade force was identified. There were no Israeli casualties. The force returned fire and made an air strike on the source of shooting. A hit was identified.

Blogger Yoni Alper reports that in Khan Yunis a leader of the Democratic Front terrorist organization, Radd Abu Magsib, was killed.

Funeral of the lone soldier Sergeant Max Steinberg hy"d. Photo: Kobi Cohen

Battles between the IDF and terrorists continue in the town of Khuza'a near Khan Younis. Palestinians reported dozens killed in IDF attacks since the night.

Palestinian sources report that dozens of bodies are lying in the streets and under the rubble of houses by IDF attacks this early morning at Khuza'a, near Khan Younis. Fierce fighting broke out tonight in the city between the IDF and terrorists. IDF used heavy artillery as well as air strikes.

IDF attacked the compound of Wafa Hospital in eastern Gaza City again, after the place was used as a headquarters of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and shooting of anti-tank and light weapons was fired at soldiers. The hospital management has already received a number of warnings previously that it would be evacuated. The Financial Times reporter testified that he saw how two rockets were fired at Israel from the area of the Shifa hospital, while wounded were brought to the hospital for care.

The IDF Spokesman said that the strikes on the hospital campus was made after long days in which it was fired at our forces out of the hospital compound, between its buildings and by the Hamas terrorists.

"Shooting at our forces from the compound included small arms and anti-tank fire. The hospital compound was used for running war rooms and command of the terrorist organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories gave repeated warnings to international organizations, the Palestinian hospital administrator directly and to other Palestinian factors. The shooting continued and got stronger even in the last hours while putting our forces at peril. Therefore, the IDF decided to attack active terrorist centers in the hospital grounds."

At the same time, there was a fall of shell in Netiv Ha'asara. A foreign worker was killed.

Tonight: 2 dead and 20 injured
Yesterday (Tuesday) evening, two Israeli soldiers were lo;;ed in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, during the last day, three soldiers were injured seriously, nine soldiers were moderately injured and 8 soldiers were lightly injured during IDF activity in the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the fighting so far, 29 officers and soldiers were killed. Announcements were delivered to the families.

Armored forces entered the Gaza Strip. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!