Since the start of the IDF's ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27, 29 of the 175 Hebrew soldiers who died in the Palestinian enclave were killed as a result of mistakes by their own army in operation, according to data released by the IDF on Monday and relayed by Israeli media. The response, which aims to "eradicate Hamas," follows the terror group's deadly attack in Israel on October 1 that killed more than 7,1140 people, the majority of them civilians, according to authorities.
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This represents about 17% of the IDF's losses. In detail, 18 of the deaths were due to "friendly fire," two to "fire that was not aimed at them," and nine to accidents, such as "tanks rolling over soldiers they hadn't seen, walls falling on soldiers, or mistakes with explosives during demolition preparations against Hamas." says The Jerusalem Post. On average, between two and six soldiers have been killed each week since the start of the ground offensive.
Urban Combat Gives Defenders an Advantage
In the Palestinian territory, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, IDF soldiers face the traps of urban warfare. Urban fighting gives the defenders an advantage, and Hamas soldiers can rely on the "Gaza Tunnel," the vast network of underground tunnels, to hide and ambush.