Kerry heads in, as Israel names its dead

Today, Monday, marks the 14th day of Operation Protective Edge.

It begins with news that Secretary of State John Kerry is heading this way on a ceasefire mission, and with the IDF firmly denying Hamas claims to have kidnapped an Israeli soldier.

Thirteen Israeli soldiers were killed Sunday, in heavy fighting that is still ongoing in Gaza’s Shejaiya neighborhood, a Hamas stronghold close enough to the border to be the source of numerous Hamas tunnels, the Israeli army says, and the source of some 150 rockets fired at Israel these past two weeks. Palestinian officials say 60 Palestinians have died in the fighting there.

Earlier Sunday, the IDF confirmed the deaths of two other soldiers on Saturday, bringing the toll of the IDF dead to 18. Sending condolences to the families, Netanyahu said all of Israel felt their pain, and that they died in the “most just cause of all,” defending their very home.

We’ll keep you updated as Israel’s battle with Hamas continues through the day.

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