Infantry Corps forces operating in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Matan Hakimi, IDF Spokesperson

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On Tuesday morning (Jan. 6), another soldier was killed during the IDF ground operation in the Gaza Strip . During a joint activity by the Golani Brigade and Engineering Corps combat forces in the northern Gaza City, terrorists opened fire and killed Staff Sergeant Alexander Mashvitski, a 21 year old Engineering Corps fighter from Beer Sheva. His family has been notified. The forces returned the fire and identified hitting the terrorists. Four additional soldiers were lightly injured in the incident.

During the day (Jan.6), IDF forces from the Paratroopers Brigade thwarted a kidnapping attempt targeting soldiers. The forces were operating in the area of Al Atra in the northern Gaza Strip and discovered a trap in the form of a doll used to conceal a tunnel that was designated for the kidnapping of soldiers. IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip also uncovered numerous munitions, armed rocket launchers, and several active explosive devices, which were detonated by forces in a controlled manner. In addition, forces uncovered smuggling tunnels and underground hiding places used by terrorists used to attack IDF forces.

Infantry Corps, Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, Artillery Corps and Intelligence Corps forces are still carrying out the ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip in conjunction with the Israel Air Force and the Israel Navy. Today (Jan. 6). the IAF hit more than 40 terrorist sites throughout the Gaza Strip, among them eight smuggling tunnels, a vehicle with an anti-aircraft launcher, more than 10 groups of armed terrorists, and five rocket launching sites, including an underground pit used for rocket launching.