Lieutenant (res.) Yuval Zilber, 25, from Ramat Gan, was killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip, it was cleared for publication on Thursday morning. Zilber served in the 7007th Infantry Battalion, Jerusalem Brigade. He is the 17th soldier who has been killed in combat since the beginning of ground operations in the Gaza Strip. Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen eulogized him, writing: "Yuval was on a trip but came back and reported for fateful reserve duty when the war began. How much loss, grief, and pain can we take? How many more families will hear bereavement knocking? Dear Yael and Itai, may you be the last parents to join the family of bereavement." On Wednesday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit cleared for publication the names of other soldiers who fell in battle in the Gaza Strip. Overnight, a surface-to-air missile was launched from Lebanon toward an IDF UAV, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said. In response, the IDF struck the terrorist cell that fired the missile and the launch site. There was no damage to the UAV. In addition, the statement added, a number of launches were identified from Lebanon toward the area of Har Dov and Mount Hermon in northern Israel. They fell in open areas. IDF artillery struck the source of the launches in response. In his statement to the press on Wednesday, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the ground operation is progressing as planned. Related articles: IDF launches ground operation in Rafah Over 1,000 child deaths disappear from Hamas casualty list Lebanon must act against terror groups within its borders Eliminated Hezbollah terrorist was assisting Hamas "Our troops are deepening the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Through advance planning, precise intelligence by the Intelligence Directorate, and combined strikes, our forces have breached Hamas' forward lines of defense in the northern Gaza Strip,” he said. "Parallel to the ground operation, the air strikes will continue. During the day, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi authorized the plans for the continuation of the war," added Hagari.
