Israeli reserve soldier killed, another wounded in Gaza clash

Palestinians mourn a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, June 4 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli reserve soldier was killed and another seriously wounded during a clash in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Israeli military said.

The military identified the slain soldier as Master Sergeant Alon Farkas, 27, from the 6646th Reconnaissance Battalion, 646th Brigade. He "fell during combat" in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, the military said, without elaborating. Another reserve soldier from the same battalion was seriously injured.

According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV news, the two were shot at close range after a Palestinian militant emerged and opened fire with a light weapon before fleeing into a built-up area.

The incident came a day after the military reported that three other soldiers were killed in an explosion in the Jabaliya area, also in northern Gaza.

Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, ending a two-month-long ceasefire, 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed. A total of 862 soldiers have been killed since the start of Israel's multi-front offensive in October 2023.

At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. ■

Palestinians inspect a damaged tent after an Israeli airstrike at the Gaza port near Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

Palestinians mourn a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

Palestinians inspect a damaged tent after an Israeli airstrike at the Gaza port near Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

Palestinians mourn a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025. At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)