Israeli media reports: '10,000 soldiers killed or wounded'

Israeli media has reported that at least 10,000 Israeli soldiers have been killed or wounded in the ongoing clashes in the Gaza Strip over the past few months.

cumhuriyet.com.tr

According to a report by Yediot Ahronot, the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip has resulted in significant casualties among Israeli forces. The latest data from the Israeli military indicates that since the attacks on Gaza began on October 7, 689 soldiers have been killed, including 329 during the ground invasion, and 4,252 soldiers have been wounded.

The report also highlights that approximately 1,000 soldiers are sent each month to the Defense Ministry's physical therapy and rehabilitation unit after being injured in the Gaza clashes.

The article criticizes the parliament for going on recess without approving a bill to extend the mandatory military service period. It also quotes the father of a soldier from the Nahal Brigade, who stated, "Soldiers have been fighting on enemy soil under harsh conditions for ten consecutive months. Such a situation has never been seen in any of Israel's wars, not even in 1948."

Additionally, the report mentions that female soldiers serving in a surveillance unit in the northern Golan Heights were informed "arbitrarily" that their service would be extended by four months beyond their expected discharge date next month. One soldier's mother expressed frustration, saying they received no explanation or response, and the extension was imposed without their consent.

The Israeli government approved a bill on July 14 to extend mandatory military service from 32 months to 36 months. However, the bill was met with resistance from soldiers nearing the end of their service. The law was not enacted before the Israeli parliament went on recess from July 22 to mid-October.