IDF declares deaths of 5 more troops, including nephew of ex-IDF chief Eisenkot who also lost son

The IDF announces the deaths of five soldiers, one of whom succumbed to wounds suffered on October 7 and four of whom were killed during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip over the weekend.

The toll of slain soldiers during the ground offensive against Hamas has increased to 97. The new deaths include the nephew of former IDF chief of staff and current war cabinet observer minister Gadi Eisenkot, who also lost his son several days ago.

They are:

Master Sgt. (res.) Liav Atiya, 25, of the 55th Brigade’s 6623rd Battalion, from Beersheba.

Master Sgt. (res.) Omri Ben Shachar, 25, of the 55th Brigade’s 6623rd Battalion, from Givatayim.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Dean Jr Haim, 25, of the Combat Engineering Corps’ 603rd Battalion, from Ramat Gan.

Sgt. Maor Cohen Eisenkot, 19, of the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, from Eilat.

Staff Sgt. Haim Meir Edan, 20, of the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, from Rehovot. Edan was wounded on October 7 and succumbed to his wound today.

The IDF says another 12 soldiers from several units were seriously wounded during fighting in Gaza on Friday and Saturday.