Israeli soldier dies in southern Gaza as 'friendly fire' suspected

An Israeli soldier was killed in combat in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the military confirmed, with initial indications from a security source suggesting the incident may have involved friendly fire.

In a statement, the military said, “Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.”

Friendly fire suspected, investigation under way

A security source told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been “killed by friendly fire”, without providing additional details.

“The incident is still under investigation,” the source added.

The latest fatality brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.

This development follows the Israeli government’s approval of a process to register land in the West Bank as “state property”, prompting condemnation from Arab nations and critics who said it would speed up the annexation of the Palestinian territory.

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Israel’s foreign ministry said the measure, approved late Sunday, would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes”, and was needed after unlawful land registration in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan criticised the move as illegal under international law.

The measure is “aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank” that would undermine peace efforts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the actions “undermine efforts to restore calm and threaten to exacerbate the conflict”, according to a statement released by the royal court.

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The European Union called on Israel to reverse the move.

“This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

(With agency inputs)