TEMPO.CO, Jerusalem - The Israeli Defensive Force (IDF) has reported its first casualty in Operation Protective Edge, 20-year-old Sergeant Eitan Barak of Herzliya, as the army commenced its ground offensive into Gaza. In addition, two Israeli soldiers were also reported to be lightly wounded.
IDF units have attempted to seize positions in the northern, central, and southern parts of Gaza, trading fire with Palestinian Hamas overnight. The IDF expects armed clashes to increase during the day.
"The units are at their designated positions. We expect significant friction to begin after first light," a senior Israel military source told Jerussalem Post. "We are focusing on three efforts. The first is continued air strikes. The second is the taking over of targets [by ground units]. The last is preparing the next stage of this operation."
The source also mentioned that so far, the IDF had only encountered minor resistance.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | YERUSALEM POST