The IDF announced the death of five soldiers, one of whom died from wounds received on October 7, and four of whom were killed during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, the report said.
On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip with rockets and sent fighters across the border who killed and abducted hundreds. Israel launched retaliatory strikes the same day and ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, followed by a ground invasion on October 27.
The sides agreed to a one-week truce that ended on December 1, to exchange some of the prisoners and hostages. Hostilities left 1,200 people killed in Israel and 17,700 in the Gaza Strip.