The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released on Saturday the names of five fallen soldiers in the war against Hamas. They are: Master Sergeant (res.) Liav Atiya, 25, a soldier in the 6623rd Battalion, from Be'er Sheva. Master Sergeant (res.) Omri Ben Shachar, 25, a soldier in the 6623rd Battalion, from Givatayim. Sergeant Maor Cohen Eisenkot, 19, a soldier in the Golani Braide's 12th Battalion, from Eilat. Staff Sergeant Jonatan Dean Haim, 25, a soldier from the Combat Engineering Crops' 603rd Battalion from Ramat Gan.
More stories:
5 View gallery
Master Sergeant (res.) Liav Atiya, Master Sergeant (res.) Omri Ben Shachar, Staff Sergeant Jonatan Dean Haim, Sergeant Haim Meir Eden, Sergeant Maor Cohen Eisenkot
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Instagram)
The IDF added that Sergeant Haim Meir Eden, 20, a soldier from the 13th Battalion from Rehovot - who was injured in Hamas' attack on October 7 - succumbed to his wounds.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported on Saturday that Hamas terrorists in Khan Yunis were eliminated by Air Force and ground units, which the military continued to operate to uncover underground facilities utilized by the terrorist organization.
The military also added that tensions against Hezbollah on the northern border continued following missile launches against Israel that were answered by precision airstrikes against terror targets in Lebanon.
Weapons found hidden in toy
(IDF)
Israeli troops uncovered a sniper rifle hidden inside a stuffed teddy bear during a search of a school operated by UNRWA in Gaza, after battling terrorists hiding there and using the facility to launch attacks.
The IDF said soldiers found more weapons and ammunition in the school, used by Hamas.
In a post, the Arab language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on Saturday, that Hamas used the humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, to launch rockets at Israel on Friday.
Israel has thus far rejected UN requests to open the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza, to allow humanitarian aid from Jordan and Egypt, into the Strip.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that the U.S. was complicit in the war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. Abbas issued a statement after the American veto of the UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire, on Friday.
5 View gallery
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
(Photo: Saul Loeb / Pool / via Reuters )
Earlier, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the UN Security Council voted on a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, proposed by UN Sec. Gen. Antonio Guterres, is shameful. Cohen said the secretary invoked section 99 of the UN charter for the Gaza war, having not done the same for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He called the move shameful and said it would have prevented the elimination of the Hamas terror group's hold on Gaza.
The vote did not pass after a U.S. veto, while 100 countries voted in favor. The UK abstained over the resolution tabled failing to mention Hamas atrocities.
The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve the supply of 45,000 tank shells to Israel late on Friday, in support of its fight against Hamas. The request is not part of the supplemental request already before lawmakers, which includes funding for Ukraine as well.
"This went to committees earlier this week and they are supposed to have 20 days to review Israel cases. State (Department) is pushing them to clear now," said Paul, who in October resigned from the State Department in protest over what he called the administration's "blind support" for Israel, according to a Reuters report.
The administration is also weighing using Arms Export Control Act emergency authorities to allow a portion of the ammunition, 13,000 of the 45,000 shells, to bypass the committee and review period, two U.S. officials said, although a final decision was yet to be made. The move would allow Israel to prepare for contingencies given the high tensions in the region, one of the U.S. officials said.
The IDF reported Friday that two IDF soldiers were severely injured during an operation to rescue hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
First published: 08:02, 12.09.23