From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 4, 2024
IDF: Elite search and rescue unit has carried out hundreds of medical evacuations of soldiers from Gaza
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli Air Force’s elite helicopter-borne search and rescue Unit 669 has carried out hundreds of medical evacuations from inside the Gaza Strip amid the military’s ground offensive, taking more than 1,000 wounded soldiers to hospitals in Israel, the military says.
The IDF says Unit 669, along with the elite Unit 5515 combat mobility unit and IAF’s transport helicopter array, have been operating closely alongside ground forces in the Strip during the fighting against Hamas.
According to the latest data from the IDF, in the ground offensive in Gaza, which was launched in late October, 175 soldiers have been killed and another 1,006 have been wounded.
Of the injured soldiers, 224 are listed in serious condition, 372 in moderate condition, and 410 in good condition.
